Canada make two changes to chase back-to-back wins over England in Ottawa

Canada have made two changes to the side that stunned England 24-21 in Toronto last Friday, as they target a second consecutive victory over the Red Roses in the WXV Global Series 2026 decider in Ottawa.

Head coach Kévin Rouet has restored Taylor Perry to fly-half, reuniting her with scrum-half Olivia Apps at half-back. Perry had started at inside centre in the Toronto win, with vice-captain Alexandra Tessier directing play; Tessier drops to the replacements bench this week. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, who scored the match-winning try against England, shifts from the wing to inside centre, where she partners Florence Symonds in midfield.

The second alteration sees Gabrielle Senft rewarded for an eye-catching cameo off the bench with a place in the starting back row. The 29-year-old comes in for Rachel Smith, who is omitted from the matchday 23 entirely, with Caroline Crossley taking the bench spot Senft vacates.

Everywhere else, Rouet has kept faith with the team that delivered Canada’s landmark result. Mikiela Nelson, Kiki Idowi and DaLeaka Menin continue in the front row, Sophie de Goede and Laetitia Royer retain their second-row berths, and Julia Omokhuale and Lizzie Gibson remain in the back row alongside Senft. Asia Hogan-Rochester, Alysha Corrigan and Savannah Bauder keep their places across the back three.

“It felt amazing to get the win last week but that game still left us with a lot to work on and improve if we want to get another win on Friday in Ottawa,” said Rouet. “It’s the final week of tour for us and we want to finish strong, so practice this week has been all about adjusting and correcting parts of our game while making sure players can rest and recover.”

The coach also pointed to the Ottawa crowd as a potential factor. “The players really like playing in Ottawa. We have had some great crowds each time we’ve played here over the last couple of years. It makes such a big difference.”

Victory on Friday would confirm Canada’s series win over the reigning world champions and further cement the significance of last week’s result, which ended England’s run of 41 consecutive unbeaten matches.