England's Red Roses are preparing to face Canada this Saturday at Sandy Park, marking their first encounter since defeating them in the 2025 Rugby World Cup final. The match comes a week shy of the one-year anniversary of the Twickenham showpiece, which was played in front of a record-breaking 81,885 supporters.
The 2025 final saw England, who were unbeaten since the 2022 World Cup final, overcome Canada. England flanker Sadia Kabeya highlighted the Red Roses' defensive aggression and ability to slow down Canada's breakdown as key to their victory. Canada's scrum-half Olivia Apps, however, identified a lack of composure and issues with the set piece as areas where Canada lost the final.
The impact of the final has been significant for women's rugby in both countries. England has continued to draw large crowds, with over 50,000 expected for their match against New Zealand on 26 September. Premiership Women’s Rugby also recorded a 23% increase in attendances during the 2025-26 season. In Canada, underage women’s rugby registrations have reportedly surged by 300%, reaching their highest levels ever.
As the rivalry reignites, England is focused on their own performance and the potential to extend their consecutive win record to 40 matches. Apps expressed curiosity about how both teams have evolved over the past year, viewing Saturday's Test match as an opportunity to assess their progress without the pressure of a World Cup final.