Canada women's national rugby union team

Last updated

Canada
Rugby Canada logo.svg
NicknamesCanucks
Maple Leafs
Union Rugby Canada
Head coach Kévin Rouet
Captain Alex Tessier
Kit left arm Canadaleftrwc.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body CanadaRWC.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm Canadarightrwc.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts CanadashortsRWC.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks CanadasocksRWC.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm Canadaleftrwcb.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body CanadaRWCb.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm Canadarightrwcb.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts CanadashortsRWCb.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks CanadasocksRWC.png
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current2 (as of 28 October 2024)
Highest2 (2024)
First international
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 3–22 United States  Flag of the United States.svg
( Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; 14 November 1987)
Biggest win
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 98–0 Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg
( Dublin, Ireland; 9 August 2017)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 3–88 New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg
( Edmonton, Canada; 8 September 1996)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1991 )
Best resultRunners-up, 2014
Website rugby.ca/en
Women's
World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 15 September 2025 [1]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 97.76
2Steady2.svgFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 90.13
3Steady2.svgFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 88.76
4Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 86.42
5Steady2.svgIRFU flag.svg  Ireland 78.20
6Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 77.39
7Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 75.46
8Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 72.90
9Steady2.svgFlag of Italy.svg  Italy 72.37
10Steady2.svgFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 71.62
11Steady2.svgFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 69.72
12Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 66.13
13Steady2.svgFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 63.98
14Steady2.svgFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 62.42
15Steady2.svgFlag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 59.72
16Steady2.svgFlag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 57.56
17Steady2.svgFlag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 57.42
18Steady2.svgFlag of Russia.svg  Russia 55.10
19Steady2.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 53.88
20Steady2.svgFlag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 50.68
*Change from the previous week

The Canada women's national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union competitions. They are overseen by Rugby Canada, the governing body of rugby union in Canada.

Contents

History

The Canadian women's program began to develop in the 1980s with the first match being played in 1987 in Victoria, British Columbia against another international rugby start-up, the United States. [2] It was the first women's international test match that was played outside of Europe. [3]

In 1991, Canada competed in the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup in Wales. The team finished in fifth place after defeating Spain 19–4 in the Plate final. Canada has appeared in every World Cup since 1991. [2]

Canada were finalists at the 2014 Rugby World Cup. They were drawn in the same pool with eventual winners, England. They had a 13 all draw during the pool stage before meeting in the final, Canada lost 21–9 and were runners-up. [4] [5] [6] [7]

In 2022, Canada finished fourth after losing to France in the third place final at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup. [8] [9] [10]

Competitive record

World Cup

World Cup record
YearRoundPositionPWDLFA
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1991 Plate Winners5th53118037
Flag of Scotland.svg 1994 Shield Finalists6th520310546
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 1998 3rd Place Play-off4th520352163
Flag of Spain.svg 2002 3rd Place Play-off4th42028494
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2006 3rd Place Play-off4th520314528
Flag of England.svg 2010 5th place match6th520314666
Flag of France.svg 2014 FinalistsSilver medal icon.svg531111362
IRFU flag.svg 2017 5th place match5th540121360
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2021 3rd Place Play-off4th6402143104
Flag of England.svg 2025 Qualified
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2029 TBD
Flag of the United States.svg 2033
Total9/9Silver medal icon.svg45242191081660
  Champion  Runner-up  Third place  Fourth place
* Tied placing† Best placingHome venue

Head-to-head record

Overall

(Full internationals only; Correct as of 19 September 2025)

Rugby: Canada internationals 1987-
OpponentFirst gamePlayedWonDrawnLostPercentage
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2014 8 800100.00%
Flag of England.svg  England 1993 37 31338.33%
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 20222200100.00%
Flag of France.svg  France 1996 18 90950%
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 20171100100.00%
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 2002540180.00%
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 19913300100.00%
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 19942200100.00%
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 19942200100.00%
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 19981100100.00%
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 1991 20 211710%
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 20141100100.00%
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 1994870187.5%
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 20096600100.00%
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 20101100100.00%
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 19911100100.00%
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 20063300100.00%
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1987 48 2901960.42%
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 199115112273.33%
Summary19871829648252.75%

Players

Current squad

On 24 July 2025, Kévin Rouet announced Canada's 32-player squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. [11]

1 On 15 August 2025, Pamphinette Buisa was ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an injury in a warm-up match against Ireland. She was replaced by Julia Omokhuale. [12]

Note: The age and number of caps listed for each player is as of 22 August 2025, the first day of the tournament.

Player Position Date of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Gillian Boag Hooker (1995-02-19)19 February 1995 (aged 30)32 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Capilano RFC
Taylor McKnight Hooker (2003-04-05)5 April 2003 (aged 22)1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg University of Guelph / Aurora Barbarians
Emily Tuttosi Hooker (1995-09-21)21 September 1995 (aged 29)34 Flag of England.svg Exeter Chiefs / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Calgary Hornets
Olivia DeMerchant Prop (1991-02-16)16 February 1991 (aged 34)60 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Halifax Tars RFC
McKinley Hunt Prop (1997-01-05)5 January 1997 (aged 28)32 Flag of England.svg Saracens / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Aurora Barbarians
Brittany Kassil Prop (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 34)46 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Guelph Goats
DaLeaka Menin Prop (1995-06-16)16 June 1995 (aged 30)63 Flag of England.svg Exeter Chiefs / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Calgary Hornets
Maya Montiel Prop (1999-10-11)11 October 1999 (aged 25)5 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Mikiela Nelson Prop (1997-11-27)27 November 1997 (aged 27)10 Flag of England.svg Exeter Chiefs / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Capilano RFC
Tyson Beukeboom Second row (1991-03-10)10 March 1991 (aged 34)77 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians
Caroline Crossley Second row (1998-04-19)19 April 1998 (aged 27)7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Castaway Wanderers
Courtney O'Donnell Second row (1999-04-25)25 April 1999 (aged 26)46 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Red Deer Titans Rugby
Julia Omokhuale 1 Second row (2001-07-09)9 July 2001 (aged 24)7 Flag of England.svg Saracens / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Calgary Irish
Rachel Smith Second row (2001-04-07)7 April 2001 (aged 24)3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg University of British Columbia
Pamphinette Buisa 1 Back row (1996-12-28)28 December 1996 (aged 28)17 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ottawa Irish
Sophie de Goede Back row (1999-06-30)30 June 1999 (aged 26)35 Flag of England.svg Saracens / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Castaway Wanderers
Fabiola Forteza Back row (1995-08-04)4 August 1995 (aged 30)35 Flag of France.svg Stade Bordelais Women  [ fr ]
Karen Paquin Back row (1987-08-03)3 August 1987 (aged 38)45 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Club de rugby de Quebec
Laetitia Royer Back row (1991-02-09)9 February 1991 (aged 34)18 Flag of England.svg Saracens / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
Gabby Senft Back row (1997-06-13)13 June 1997 (aged 28)32 Flag of England.svg Saracens / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Castaway Wanderers
Olivia Apps Scrum-half (1998-12-01)1 December 1998 (aged 26)18 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lindsay RFC
Justine Pelletier Scrum-half (1996-02-27)27 February 1996 (aged 29)37 Flag of France.svg Stade Bordelais Women  [ fr ]
Claire Gallagher Fly-half (2000-04-20)20 April 2000 (aged 25)18 Flag of England.svg Trailfinders
Taylor Perry Fly-half (2000-07-23)23 July 2000 (aged 25)15 Flag of England.svg Exeter Chiefs / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Oakville Crusaders
Alex Tessier (c) Fly-half (1993-09-03)3 September 1993 (aged 31)59 Flag of England.svg Exeter Chiefs / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
Alysha Corrigan Centre (1997-01-25)25 January 1997 (aged 28)21 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Shoshanah Seumanutafa Centre (1999-09-17)17 September 1999 (aged 25)18 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chiefs Manawa
Fancy Bermudez Wing (2002-05-27)27 May 2002 (aged 23)18 Flag of England.svg Saracens / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Westshore RFC
Paige Farries Wing (1994-08-12)12 August 1994 (aged 31)40 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Asia Hogan-Rochester Wing (1999-04-20)20 April 1999 (aged 26)3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC
Florence Symonds Wing (2002-05-20)20 May 2002 (aged 23)12 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg University of British Columbia
Sarah-Maude Lachance Fullback (1998-12-07)7 December 1998 (aged 26)10 Flag of France.svg Stade Bordelais Women  [ fr ]
Julia Schell Fullback (1997-07-13)13 July 1997 (aged 28)26 Flag of England.svg Trailfinders / Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Castaway Wanderers

World Cup squads

Notable players

Award winners

The following Canada players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001: [15]

Honours

Runners-up (1): 2014
Runners-up (1): 2023
Champions (2): 2021, 2024
Runners-up (2): 2022, 2023
Champions (1): 2016
Champions (1): 2013
Runners-up (2): 2008, 2011

Attendance

The highest attended matches played in Canada.

RankAttendanceOpponentDateVenueLocationRef.
111,453Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1 August 2025 TD Place Stadium Ottawa [16]
210,092Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 10 July 2023 TD Place Stadium Ottawa [17]

References

  1. ↑ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 Khan, Safa. "History of Women's Rugby in Ontario". Rugby Ontario. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Birch, John (16 August 2014). "An American Century: USA's 100th test". Scrum Queens. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "How did England win the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup?". IRB. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. ↑ Butler, Michael (17 August 2014). "Women's Rugby World Cup final: England v Canada – as it happened". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  6. ↑ Riach, James (17 August 2014). "Emily Scarratt's boot hands England World Cup final win over Canada". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "Women's Rugby World Cup: England beat Canada to win final". BBC Sport. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Blue wave hits Canada as France celebrates Bronze victory". Americas Rugby News. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "Canadian women fall to France in bronze-medal match at Rugby World Cup". www.cbc.ca. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Five-try France blow away Canada to take bronze at Rugby World Cup 2021". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "32-PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA'S SQUAD FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP IN ENGLAND". Rugby Canada. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "Buisa ruled out of Canada squad for Women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "Heather Moyse to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame". CBC.ca. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Heather Moyse - World Rugby - Hall of Fame". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "Canada Score 35 Unanswered to Down USA in Front of Record Crowd".
  17. ↑ "The Soaring Popularity of Women's Rugby: A Look into Crowd Records %". 12 July 2023.
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