Canada stun England 24-21 to end 41-game unbeaten run
Canada beat England 24-21 at BMO Field in Toronto on 17 October to end a 41-game unbeaten run that had lasted four years, according to The Guardian. The WXV Global Series decider, the annual Test competition that sits outside the World Cup and Six Nations, was settled with two minutes left.
England led 14-5 at half-time and looked in control. Canada found another gear after the break. Replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa crossed late to put the hosts ahead for good at 24-21.
It was raw, loud and close. Prop DaLeaka Menin, the hard-working front-row forward who anchors the scrum, was named player of the match for her carrying and tackling at the heart of Canada's fightback.
The crowd was 18,621, a record for a women's rugby game in North America. They made themselves heard. England, who brought hooker Amy Cokayne back into the starting side for the 19:10 kick-off, had to defend wave after wave in the final quarter.
The result flips recent history. England beat Canada 33-13 to win the Women's Rugby World Cup final on 27 September 2025 in front of 81,885 at Twickenham, according to Reuters. The teams then drew 26-26 in Exeter in September, in front of a sold-out 14,000 crowd, before meeting again in Toronto.
That draw had already ended England's long winning run, though their unbeaten run continued through a 26-19 win over New Zealand to reach 41 Tests. This defeat stops that sequence completely. For Canada, it was a first win over England in 10 years.
What makes this stand out is the timing. England arrived as world champions. Canada took their chance at home, stayed calm when behind, and finished stronger.
