Canada player ratings v Red Roses | WXV Global Series 2026

Canada have done what few teams have managed to do – stop England in their tracks.

Kevin Rouet’s side ended the Red Roses’ 39-match winning streak to end, with a pulsating 26-26 draw against the world champions at Sandy Park in the WXV Global Series.

Canada came out with a clear purpose: to put right the disappointment of their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final defeat. From the opening whistle, they came out firing, matching England’s physicality, playing with huge attacking intent and refusing to let the Red Roses settle.

Two tries from Player of the Match DaLeaka Menin and another from Lizzie Gibson helped Canada head into the break level at 19-19, before both sides continued to battle in a gripping second half.

England pushed, Canada pushed back and when the final whistle went, it was 26-26 after an enthralling encounter.

Here’s how Canada rated against the Red Roses…

15. Claire Gallagher – 6

It wasn’t her best performance by her usual high standards. However, Gallagher still provided some great moments and got heavily involved early on, producing a lovely backline move with well-timed offload to Asia Hogan-Rochester during Canada’s early attacking pressure.

The full-back was unable to stop a Zoe Harrison special, with a 50:22 buying the Red Roses great attacking position, but Gallagher applied great pressure as England looked to build from the resulting position.

The 26-year-old also kicked it out on the full under pressure, handing England a significant attacking opportunity that Claudia Moloney-MacDonald finished.

Ultimately, it wasn’t the best day in the office for Gallagher but she still provided some great tackles, carries and support for her side.

14. Asia Hogan-Rochester – 7.5

Hogan-Rochester was a constant threat with ball in hand and showed plenty of attacking sparkle throughout.
They were tackled into touch by Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Ellie Killdune while Canada were in England’s territory, but continued to look dangerous whenever in space.

After appearing to get a phenomenal try under the posts, spotting space, accelerating hard and impressively handing off a couple of Red Roses to get there, a call by the officials that there was marginally forward pass by Taylor Perry meant it was ruled out.

However, the winger didn’t let it stop them and went charging through into England’s 22 with a powerful carry and also did brilliantly to gather a huge intercept and clearance kick from Zoe Harrison to hold out the Red Roses from another score.
Immense footwork and ability to step defenders made Hogan-Rochester one of Canada’s most dangerous attacking outlets against England.

13. Florence Symonds – 8.5
Pace, pace and more pace. A standout performer today in my opinion.

Symonds had a really strong first half and was constantly involved in both Canada’s defensive and attacking efforts. She produced a fantastic steal and put in a huge defensive shift to stop Jess Breach getting over the line early on.

Her footwork was also next level to continually step Red Roses defenders, and she also adjusted her feet brilliantly to force an error from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, which is no mean feat.

A really exciting performance from the 24-year-old.

12. Alexandra Tessier – 6

It was a 70th cap for Tessier today, and she wanted to make her mark on the occasion.

The inside centre helped to keep the ball moving and the communication going, but ultimately, it wasn’t her strongest outing, with a couple missed tackles and handling mistakes due to the greasy ball.

11. Charity Williams – 7.5

A huge tackling shift and plenty of pace is what Charity Williams brought to the party.

She was constantly getting involved defensively, including impressively shutting down Ellie Kildunne on the wing and recovering in time to stop Jess Breach.

One of her best moments came when she wrestled off four Red Roses players and somehow still escaped from the touchline, showing immense strength. She also displayed her ridiculous pace when getting back to help cover Zoe Harrison’s interception and clearance kick.

Really promising work from Williams on only her second cap for Canada.

10. Taylor Perry – 8.5

Wow. Taylor Perry certainly got involved today. It felt like she was popping up all over the pitch in tackles and rucks, while constantly communicating with her teammates and helping to control the game.

A fantastic carry, accompanied by some excellent footwork, was another highlight of her performance.

A massive turnover on Ellie Kildunne, which felt more or less try-saving in my opinion, really put the cherry on the top to a standout performance. A really great outing in the Canada jersey for Perry.

9. Olivia Apps – 7

It wasn’t the same Player of the Match performance from a week ago for Apps, with a few uncharacteristic mistakes and knock ons creeping in.

However, to nobody’s surprise, there was still some really quick ball, and she worked well off Sophie de Goede’s inside well to get over for a fantastic try around the 60-minute mark.

She also produced a great tackle on Sadia Kebaya, slicing the England player her into touch. It was a solid performance overall – just arguably not quite on the same level as last week.

1. Mikiela Nelson – 6.5

Nelson stepped up to the plate and made some great moves against the Red Roses, with the standout probably being her huge carry and low body position that took her right to the try line.

The move was strong and set up DaLeaka Menin’s second try of the match. She looked completely comfortable within the side and produced some great carries and tackles throughout her time on the pitch.

2. Kiki Idowu – 7

Huge shifts in mauls, great tackles and strong defence overall. Idowu continually shut down England’s attack and showed some great skill.

The 21-year-old continued to show great talent, with a strong drive towards the England line and a huge shove on the maul as Canada looked to make ground through the forwards being some of her best work. Impressive work by the hooker.

3. DaLeaka Menin – 9

Menin delivered a huge performance and was deservedly named Player of the Match.

Spotting a gap and powering over from close range for Canada’s second try of the game saw the front row secure her 14th try for her country.

She then bundled over once again for a second score right on half-time.

Great turnovers, strong carries and plenty of attacking pressure rounded off an excellent performance, with Menin popping up and causing pressure all over the pitch.

4. Sophie de Goede – 8

De Goede narrowly missed her first conversion but made no mistake with her other three attempts.

As ever, she was hugely vocal and provided strong leadership throughout the contest, while also throwing herself into tackles and rucks.

And then came a moment that summed up exactly what De Goede brings to Canada. An absolutely immense carry from halfway, followed by a perfectly timed pass to Liv Apps on her inside, saw Apps get over for Canada’s fourth score.

She fended off Helena Rowland and other Red Roses defenders to gain impressive metres and then converted the score with ease. A great outing by the Canadian leader.

5. Laetitia Royer – 6

Royer put in a solid shift, with a number of strong pick-and-goes helping Canada make ground.

She was also on Apps’ shoulder when the scrum-half attempted to sneak through the England defence and she read the game very well throughout.

6. Rachel Smith – 8

A really promising and exciting talent, who provided plenty of turnovers, tackles and pick and goes throughout the contest.

She got straight over Hannah Botterman to win a huge turnover, putting Canada in a great position for their second try.

The 25-year-old also made a big tackle on Maud Muir and seemed to be putting in great tackles all over the pitch. A fantastic pick-and-go was definitely another highlight as the flanker continually popped her wherever her side needed her.

7. Julia Omokhuale – 6

An immense turnover from Omokhuale was arguably her strongest contribution today.

She got straight over the ball and produced an excellent steal from Alex Matthews, giving Canada another important moment of possession and defensive pressure.

Omokhuale continues to impress for Canada and it’ll be great to see the impact she makes throughout the rest of the WXV Global Series.

8. Lizzie Gibson – 6.5

After a superb performance against Scotland last week, it was a slightly quieter outing for Gibson.

She did, however, make an immediate impact. A superb pick-and-go to saw Gibson power over to score the first try of the game, following her two tries last week against Scotland.

She put in a good shift defensively and played an important part in her 55 minutes on the pitch.

Replacements –

By the time the replacements came on, Canada were being met with wave after wave of Red Roses attack and they helped to hold pretty strong against it. Justine Pelletier was standout off the bench and helped to see out a draw with the reigning 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup champions.