Canada's women's rugby team will be leaning on more than just momentum when it takes on top-ranked England in Ottawa. It will also have the support of another big crowd.
The third-ranked Canadians face the Red Roses for a third time in the Rugby Rematch Tour at Ottawa's TD Place Stadium on Friday. Rugby Canada said that based on current sales trends as of Thursday, it is expecting a crowd of 13,000-plus people.
Canada beat England last week at Toronto's BMO Field in front of a North American-record crowd of 18,621 for a women's rugby game. The 24-21 win snapped England's 41-game unbeaten streak.
Canada also earned a tie that ended the English side's 39-game win streak in September.
"I think rugby is called a test match for a reason," Canadian captain Sophie de Goede said. "It's a real test of character and resilience and the physical and mental will to keep going through 80 minutes. And it's made so much easier when you have the crowd behind you and the momentum and their energy.
"I mean, we were going into half (last week) struggling and when we came back out and felt the energy from the crowd, I think it definitely helps a lot. You're climbing a little bit less of an uphill battle when you have the crowd behind you. So definitely, I think it will be helpful this weekend for us to try to get a series win with back-to-back big wins on home soil."
Playing important matches at home in front of energized crowds is different, de Goede added.
"It's really special for us," she said. "Previously, the big wins that we've had with this group, beating New Zealand for the first time (in 2024), the World Cup semifinal, they've all been away from home.
"So for us to have a win of this significance on home soil I think does a lot in terms of the energy that we get from having that win, but also hopefully does a lot for the game in Canada."
Former Canadian rugby star Andrea Burk called Canada's win a "morale booster" while pointing out that the win over "goliath" England sends a message to the rugby world.
"Results like this make their mark in the Canadian rugby history books, right? Some of the wins that the men had at the South Africa World Cup are stories that are still talked about," Burk said. "I like to think that the (World Cup runner-up) Canadian women in 2014 (against England) in France, that our games are still talked about.
"We always love a good underdog story, we always love the heroics that come with rugby and with sport in general."
The Canadians know England will take to the pitch motivated to get a win back. England hadn't lost since falling 34-31 to New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final.
The main thing for Canada will be refocusing, said head coach Kevin Rouet.
"We definitely address it. This is something we haven't been good (at in) the past," he said. "So when we are not good at something, we are very transparent. The consistency is key of the top teams.
"The motivation is there. We know we want to finish on the high and get a good performance."
Canada is making a couple of lineup changes entering the matchup.
Taylor Perry is set to return to her fly-half position, while Shoshanah Seumanutafa earns a start at inside centre after scoring the go-ahead try in Canada's win over England last week.
Gabrielle Senft will move into the starting fifteen, with Caroline Crossley coming off the bench.
Crossley will look to make her first appearance in a 15s jersey for Canada since last year's Rugby World Cup, when the Canadians lost 33-13 to England in the final.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press