Late charge from Canada ends England’s 40-match unbeaten run

Canada's Florence Symonds, center right, is tackled by England's Tatyana Heard, center left, during the second half of a women's rugby match in Toronto, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

England were stunned by a late rally from Canada as the Red Roses fell 24-21 in their WXV Global Series clash in Toronto.

Shoshanah Seumanutafa came off the bench to score the match-winning try in the 77th minute, bringing England’s 40-match unbeaten run to an end.

Following a draw in their previous clash last month in Exeter, Canada looked up for the challenge early as they opened the scoring through Savannah Bauder in the 15th minute.

Quickfire tries to Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison just before half-time put England ahead 14-5 at the break.

The points kept flowing as both teams crossed just after play resumed, but DaLeaka Menin’s 63rd-minute try kept the door open for Canada.

A raucous home crowd exploded for Seumanutafa’s match-winner shortly after, with Canada able to hold on from there and quell England’s historic run.

Speaking after the match, England’s head coach John Mitchell said he was focused on taking what positives he could out of the loss.

He said: “We’re not driven by outcome. We’re disappointed by the result but there was some very good things in our performance tonight. So we’ll stick to our processes.

“I guess (the loss) frees us up and allows us all to find more.

“I know this group has got more in them but sometimes it requires the context that we’ve just received to dig deeper and find something more.

“Maybe everyone in the group can probably review their ‘why’s and re-establish those as well because I’m sure they’re changing and evolving as they experience what we’re going through.” 

Mitchell’s side will face Canada again next Saturday in Ottawa before completing the away leg of their Global Series fixtures against the USA in New Jersey on October 30.