Key Takeaways

  • Canada beat England 31–22 in Ottawa, completing a second straight win over the Red Roses.
  • Sophie de Goede scored 21 points with three tries and three conversions before 13,117 fans.
  • Ottawa announced $4,975,000 in Rugby Canada support for 2026–27, including funding for four international matches.

Canada's women's rugby team gave the home crowd two reasons to celebrate on Friday night: a second straight win over England, and a major new funding announcement delivered at halftime.

A famous double over England

Canada beat England's Red Roses 31–22 at TD Place in Ottawa, one week after a historic victory over the same team at BMO Field in Toronto. Sophie de Goede led the way in Ottawa with 21 points — three tries and three conversions — in front of 13,117 fans.

The back-to-back wins underline Canada's place among the best women's rugby teams in the world.

New federal funding

During the Ottawa match, Adam van Koeverden, the Secretary of State for Sport, announced close to $5 million in funding for Rugby Canada in 2026–27 — including an additional $2.8 million this year, bringing total federal support through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program to $4,975,000.

He also highlighted $898,000 in 2026–27 to support Rugby Canada's hosting of four international matches in Canada, including two Nations Cup matches and two WXV Global Series matches.

The announcement is part of the federal government's $1-billion investment in sport through its Spring Economic Update, which Ottawa describes as the largest in the nation's history.

"Sport has the power to shape lives and bring people together in a way few things can," van Koeverden said. "Canada's Women's Rugby Team showed us exactly that with their historic victory over England in Toronto."

Head coach Kévin Rouet said the funding will have "a huge effect" for his players, helping the team spend more time together and move toward a more professional setup.

Sources

Photo: Like tears in rain / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Canada vs. England at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Sources