The Red Roses are gearing up to face Canada for the first time since their victory in the 2025 Rugby World Cup final. The match, set for Saturday at Sandy Park, marks nearly a year since England triumphed over Canada in front of a record 81,885 fans at Twickenham.

The atmosphere from that final remains vivid. Players recall the excitement of the crowd and the electric environment as they stepped onto the pitch. In that match, Canada stunned everyone by scoring first with a try from Asia Hogan-Rochester. However, the momentum shifted when Ellie Kildunne scored for England, igniting their comeback. Kildunne reflected on her try, stating it revitalized the team's spirit and showcased the crowd's impact.

Olivia Apps, a scrum-half for Canada, expressed the emotional weight of the loss, highlighting the need for calmness and composure in pressure situations. She noted that Canada must focus on improving their set piece to compete effectively against England.

Sadia Kabeya, the player of the final, emphasized that England's success stemmed from their aggressive defense, which disrupted Canada's momentum.

The aftermath of the final has transformed rugby in both nations. In England, attendance for Premiership Women’s Rugby has surged by 23%, while in Canada, underage women's rugby registrations have skyrocketed by 300%.

As both teams prepare to clash again, Apps is eager to see how they have evolved over the past year, while England aims to extend their remarkable winning streak to 40 matches. Kabeya summarized the upcoming match as just another opportunity to prove their capabilities against their rivals.