The England women’s rugby team endured a historic low on Saturday, falling 31-22 to Canada in Ottawa to record their first consecutive losses in a decade. This defeat in the WXV Global Series compounded the shock of last week’s 24-21 loss in Toronto, which had already snapped a four-year unbeaten run. Despite a promising start with Maddie Feaunati’s early try and Zoe Harrison’s conversion, the Red Roses could not find the consistency needed to turn the tide against the determined hosts.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
England briefly regained control after the break, overturning a half-time deficit to lead 17-12. Amy Cokayne, returning from a calf injury that sidelined her for three home matches, featured among the try scorers in this brief surge. However, Canada responded swiftly, reclaiming the advantage within minutes. The hosts then pulled away decisively, extending their lead to 31-17 as they controlled the final stages of the contest, leaving little room for a late English comeback.
The decisive factor was the brilliance of Canadian captain Sophie de Goede, who completed a hat-trick to seal the victory. Her performance underscored Canada’s growing strength in the WXV series, highlighting the challenges England now faces as they seek to recover from this unprecedented slump. With back-to-back defeats on the record, the Red Roses must regroup quickly to restore their dominance in international women’s rugby.
Source: Yahoo Sports
