Canada stun England in Toronto to end 41-match unbeaten run

England's 41-match unbeaten run is over. Canada beat the reigning world champions 24-21 in Toronto on Friday, 16 October, to hand England a first defeat in almost four years. BBC Sport

The winner came three minutes from time. Replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa touched down for Canada's fourth try, worth five points, to settle a back-and-forth Test in front of 18,621 fans at BMO Field.

That crowd is a record for a standalone women's fixture in North America, according to match reporting. It saw an early twist when England fly-half Zoe Harrison was sin-binned in the 13th minute, temporarily removed for 10 minutes, and Canada struck two minutes later through Savannah Bauder.

England, known as the Red Roses, still led 14-5 at half-time. Canada were also reduced to 10 players for a spell, with Laetitia Royer sin-binned in the 30th minute, but the hosts stayed in touch.

Canada's other tries came from Alysha Corrigan and DaLeaka Menin, with Sophie de Goede kicking two conversions, the goal-kicks taken after a try. England replied with tries from Maddie Feaunati, Harrison and Sarah Bern, all three converted by Harrison.

Canada are becoming a habit England cannot shake. They ended England's previous 39-match winning run with a 26-26 draw in Exeter in September, and are now the first team to actually beat England since New Zealand won the World Cup final in November 2022.

It was also England's first loss to Canada since 2016, and a first defeat on Canadian soil after 11 straight away wins there. England had arrived in Toronto as world champions and the world's top-ranked women's side. Reuters

What makes this stand out is how quickly England get a chance to answer. The teams meet again in Ottawa on 23 October, before England face the USA in New Jersey on 30 October to finish the 2026 WXV Global Series, rugby's annual women's international competition. BBC Sport