England fought back in the second half to overcome an impressive Canadian team in Vancouver and retain their WXV1 title.

England fought back in the second half to overcome an impressive Canadian team in Vancouver and retain their WXV1 title.
The win extends the Red Roses’ winning streak to 20 matches, but the match was their toughest test since their last loss – in the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand.
Canada, who would have also clinched the WXV1 title with a win, spent most of the first half inside England’s 22 meters but could only score an early try from scrum-half Justine Pelletier.
Prop Maud Muir quickly responded for the world number one, but it was a rare low-scoring start for John Mitchell’s side.
Captain Alex Tessier restored the amateur side’s advantage with a superb team effort, before goals from substitute Sarah Bern and second row Zoe Aldcroft allowed England to retain the WXV1 title won in Auckland last year Aldcroft’s try came in the last game of the match and left Kevin Rouet’s Canada suffering several missed chances as their six-game winning streak ended and they lost for the first time in 2024 .
“I think we won ugly — sometimes you have to,” Mitchell said.
“It was a real test match and it’s fantastic for us, so we’ll get a lot out of it.
“This tournament was everything we wanted and needed, we have to keep learning and improving.”