England’s women’s rugby team, the Red Roses, are set to face Canada in a highly anticipated match at Sandy Park, Exeter, nearly a year after their dramatic encounter at the 2025 Rugby World Cup final. The game, held on the eve of the first anniversary of the Twickenham final, offers both sides an opportunity to gauge their development since England’s victory in front of a record crowd of 81,885.
The 2025 final marked a significant moment in women’s rugby, as underdog Canada, who eliminated defending champions New Zealand in the semi-finals, challenged an undefeated and heavily favored England side on home turf. Canada took an early lead with an opening try from Asia Hogan-Rochester, but England’s Ellie Kildunne responded with a pivotal try that helped ignite her team’s momentum. The intense atmosphere and overwhelming crowd noise left a lasting impression on both teams.
Reflecting on the final, Kildunne highlighted the adrenaline surge after scoring, describing it as a moment that re-energized the match amidst Canada’s initial advantage. Canada’s scrum-half Olivia Apps, who entered the game in the second half, recalled the unique challenges posed by the packed stadium and the emotional toll of the defeat. Apps attributed Canada’s loss primarily to a lack of composure and effectiveness in set pieces compared to England, emphasizing the need for balance between athleticism and calm execution in future contests.
England flanker Sadia Kabeya, named player of the final, identified the breakdown battle as critical to England’s success. Kabeya noted that Canada thrives on momentum and an unstructured, fast-paced style but that England’s physicality and disciplined defense disrupted Canada’s attack and helped secure possession. She described England’s defensive aggression as the decisive factor in the match.
The impact of the World Cup final has been significant on both sides. The Red Roses continue to attract large crowds, with over 50,000 expected at Twickenham for their upcoming clash against New Zealand, and Premiership Women’s Rugby attendance increased by 23% in the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, female rugby participation at the youth level in Canada has surged by 300%, setting new registration records.
This forthcoming match marks the third competitive meeting between England and Canada, who also met in the 2014 World Cup final. Apps expressed curiosity about how both teams have evolved since the previous encounter, viewing the current test as an opportunity to assess progress without the added pressure of a World Cup final atmosphere. England, meanwhile, approach the game focused on extending their winning streak, which now stands at 39 matches, treating the fixture as part of a broader series of international tests.
As the rivalry renews in Exeter, both teams look to build on their growth and experience from the last year, offering rugby fans another compelling chapter in their ongoing competition.