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Canada's women's rugby team plays world champion England at BMO Field, marking the start of the domestic leg of the WXV Global Series and a record-expected attendance.
The Canadian women's rugby team is set to face world champion England on Friday night at BMO Field in Toronto. This match marks the opener of the Rugby Rematch Tour and the kickoff of the domestic leg of the WXV Global Series. It is the first time the team has played on home soil since finishing second at the Rugby World Cup last year.
Rugby Canada says more than 18,000 fans are expected for Friday’s game, which will set a North American attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on TSN3/4, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
The teams will meet again on Oct. 23 at TD Place in Ottawa. This will be the BMO Field debut for the Canadian women’s team and their first home game since a 42-10 win over the United States on Aug. 1, 2025, in Ottawa.
World Rugby’s reigning women’s player of the year, Sophie de Goede, will captain the Canadian side after missing the previous match against France. Alysha Corrigan returns to make her first start since last year’s Rugby World Cup, having missed recent matches due to injury.
Alexandra Tessier starts at fly-half for the first time since facing the United States at the 2025 Pacific Four Series, with Taylor Perry moving to inside centre. Asia Hogan-Rochester also returns to the starting lineup. Rori Wood and Brittany Kassil have returned to the squad following injury and suspension, respectively.
England’s starting lineup features Ellie Kildunne at fullback and Zoe Harrison at fly-half. Harrison received a yellow card at 13 minutes in the live match data provided by BBC Sport, while Canada’s Royer received a yellow card at 30 minutes.
Canada posted a 1-1-1 record in its first three WXV Global Series Tests in Europe last month, including a 26-26 draw in Exeter on Sept. 19 that ended England’s 39-game winning streak. England defeated Canada 33-13 in the 2025 World Cup final in London.
Piper Logan and Caroline Crossley have joined the squad since those European tests. Canadian head coach Kevin Rouet, whose contract was extended through the end of 2030, emphasized the balance between competitiveness and development.
“You have to find a balance between being competitive and also building for the next few years,” Rouet said. “So we are at this stage now. That new profile needs to challenge the older one, and I think it’s a great mix.”
Vice-captain Alexandra Tessier highlighted the significance of facing the top-ranked team at home.
“You can’t ask for much (more) than playing the No. 1 team in the world at home,” Tessier said. “So it’s just exciting. It’s those pushes in your career as a rugby player that you want, and you want to take on the challenge.”
The match represents a key moment in Canada’s four-year cycle leading up to the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. Canada, France, England and New Zealand have already qualified for the 2029 tournament after reaching the semifinals last year. The recent draw with England provides confidence as the team aims to improve on their previous final loss.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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