2026 WXV Global Series preview: Canada

In one of the most exciting schedules of the WXV Global Series, Canada are on the hunt for revenge against the Red Roses, with three of their five fixtures this autumn against England.

It’s a statement that Canada’s ascendency to one of the best teams in the world isn’t a phase, but a new normal.

Recent form

Since the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in September 2025, Canada Women have only had three international outings.

They placed second in the 2026 Pacific Four Series, with commanding 24-0 and 50-12 wins over Australia and the USA, but they were undone by New Zealand with a 36-14 loss in the second fixture.

They ended the first half leading 14-5 but haemorrhaged 31 points to the Black Ferns in the second half, including two intercept tries by centre Amy du Plessis and by back-row Kaipo Olsen-Baker. It showed a team that looked unconfident and disjointed.

In the post-match commentary, head coach Kévin Rouet said: “We didn’t show our best product today and that’s on us. We just came back together as a team, but we have to find our way.

“It was very individual on the pitch today. We weren’t connected enough. We just need more time together as a team to practice together and play together.”

The 36-14 loss to the Black Ferns was a stark reversal to their previous Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final meeting, where the Canadians triumphed 34-19.

This loss saw them fall to third in World Rugby’s rankings, behind the Black Ferns, a position that they will not want to remain in for too long.

Biggest tests

Canada will open their WXV Global Series campaign by taking on Scotland at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on September 12.

They will then travel to face the Red Roses at Sandy Park in Exeter on September 19, before concluding their away leg of the series against France at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in La Rochelle on September 26.

Kévin Rouet’s side will then return home in October to play England twice – the first at the BMO Stadium in Toronto on October 16 and the second at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on October 23.

It will not be an easy tour for the Canadians. Arguably their first fixture is their most winnable, with Scotland only achieving one win from five in their 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign.

But France are always difficult to gauge, surprising nobody with their Women’s Six Nations runners up and not really troubling England in their 43-28 defeat, despite having the best opportunity to win in years.

Canada haven’t lost to France since 2022 in the delayed 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, but they also haven’t played them since the WXV 1 in 2024, when they secured a 46-24 victory.

But with three meetings across this WXV Global Series, and the home stretch branded by Canada Rugby as ‘The Rematch Rugby Tour’, the question on everyone’s lips is surely when, not how, are they going to beat the Red Roses.

CEO of Rugby Canada Nathan Bombrys said: “Having Canada’s Women’s rugby team play on home soil a year after their historic performance at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is important not just to the rugby fans across this country, but to the continued growth of the sport here in Canada.”

The Red Roses team facing Canada in the WXV Global Series will not be that same Women’s Rugby World Cup winning squad. Conversely, John Mitchell’s side had their most challenging Women’s Six Nations campaign yet, with an injury crisis ruling 17 players out earlier this year.

Players to watch

Justine Pelletier continues to be electric at scrum-half, but it’ll be interesting who gets the nod at fly-half with her. If Clare Gallagher gets the 10 shirt, which is likely as she handled conversions across the Pacific Four Series and took a brace of her own against the USA, we might see a rematch of the 2026 Premiership Women’s Rugby final with England’s Zoe Harrison [Saracens] versus Canada’s Claire Gallagher [Trailfinders Women]. These rivalries hold deep on more than just international level.

Julia Omokhuale has gone from strength to strength this season after her move to Saracens for the 2025/26 season. She has become a recognisable physical powerhouse and lineout operator and hopefully we will see her eight international caps increase.

And of course, Asia Hogan-Rochester, dubbed by some commentators as ‘sparkle and speed’ for her match day glitter is as classy an international finisher as any. She scored tries in every Pacific Four game, including both scores in the New Zealand fixture. It will be exciting to see her go toe to toe with England’s speedsters.

Predictions

Canada are daring England to lose this WXV Global Series campaign.

With their BMO Stadium debut and the first return of women’s international rugby to Toronto in fifteen years, it’s clear Rugby Canada is also betting on their women’s team too.

Ticket sales for their first home game have already surpassed previous North American domestic records for a standalone fixture.

Canada are at their most lethal when they are innovating on the pitch; not bogged down in the quagmire of English territorial rugby, nor scraping one or two per cents at the set piece.

Rouet capitalises on all the influences in the Canadian team, whether that’s Quebecois flair, or inter-sport athleticism, like letting your back-row take the conversions or your inside centre manage your exit kicks.

It’s developed a style that is uniquely Canadian, and it’s so exciting to watch because when it clicks, we watch a Black Ferns exit become a Canadian try in three phases. The best defences in the world barely have time to organise.

That being said, the Black Ferns and Red Roses have successfully squashed Canadian attacking rugby in persevering second half performances. Canada will need to show resolve for the full 80 minutes for this system to succeed and remain composed.

Beating England will likely be a chess match and a fist fight. If Canada take the first test, they might make a battle of the series, but England’s depth is strong and they could be closed out to achieving just two wins if they let the Red Roses build confidence. But it is also curious to see how this style will match France.

The demand and expectations are high for Canada, but they are surely the best positioned team to be able to take on the challenge. My best suggestion would be to go buy your tickets now, as it’s quite likely history is about to be made again.