Sophie de Goede: 'I'm growing every game and feeling more confident'

Supporters got to see Canada‘s Sophie de Goede back on the biggest stage in her team’s 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup victory against Fiji.

Over the course of 80 minutes the Canadians dominated their Pacific Islander opponents 65-7 in York.

Their strong first showing at the tournament has backed up claims that the North Americans could be lifting the World Cup trophy at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 27 September.

It was in the second half the side really cut loose. In the space of 22 minutes Canada’s full-back, Julia Schell, had scored six tries in a dazzling display of attacking brilliance.

Combined with De Goede’s sixth minute effort and those of Gillian Boag, Caroline Crossley, Alysha Corrigan and Karen Paquin, it was a particularly good day at the office.

“Julia Schell for one just popped right off,” De Goede smiled. “Incredible. Ridiculous.

“There was a lot of good buildup by the team as well. Some great individual performances, but team-wise we built really well throughout the game.

“I think it was a strong first half, as always things that can be corrected, but Fiji responded really well out of the gates in the second half.

“We weathered that storm a little bit and then bounced back to take the game away.”

Saturday afternoon saw De Goede step onto the pitch for just the fourth time since her recovery from an ACL injury that kept her out of action for just over a year.

Already the 26-year-old has made a strong return to Test rugby, scored two tries and resumed kicking duties from the pack.

“A little nerve-wracking,” De Goede said of her July comeback. “It was nice to be in South Africa, coming off the bench and just getting that one done and dusted. There wasn’t a lot of fanfare around it. It wasn’t a super crazy crowd or anything.

“Then when we came back to Ottawa (to play the USA), that one I was a little bit more nervous for.”

Even though on the surface the Saracens forward’s return has been seamless, for the 26-year-old there is still work to be done.

It is testament to De Goede’s talent that she has been reinstalled to Kévin Rouet’s starting side so soon after lacing her boots back up again, but even for world class stars feeling fully comfortable again takes its time.

“I feel like each training, each game, I’m growing, feeling more and more comfortable and confident,” De Goede said.

“The team has really, really helped with that. They’ve been super supportive and reassuring throughout.

“I just feel like I’m growing every game and that’s certainly helping my confidence because it’s always uncertain.

“I know I put the hard work in throughout the year, but you never know when you’ve been away for so long.

“I’m really happy with how the first couple of games have gone and how I’m able to fit back into the team.”

Canada get the second weekend of World Cup action underway when they take on Wales at Salford Community Stadium.

Their opponents are bruised after a 38-8 loss to Scotland at the same venue. Unable to contend with the speed at which Scotland played or the elusiveness of Francesca McGhie, Sean Lynn’s side only got on the scoreboard because of an Alex Callender try and Keira Bevan penalty in the first-half.

Victory in Greater Manchester will secure the Canadians with a place in the quarter-finals. Despite a dominant win against Fiji in Yorkshire, De Goede knows that plenty of hard work is ahead of the tournament hopefuls.

With potentially five games ahead of them, the two-time World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year player has expressed that the team will continue to drive their bond away from the confines of the pitch.

“Emphasis on the word ‘long’,” De Goede said. “The tournament is long. It’s a really long campaign and there’s a lot of stress and pressures throughout a World Cup. There’s a few of us on multiple World Cups.

“I think the group really understands how much the connection off the field will translate to on-field over the course of a tournament.

“That stuff goes a long way. It might not show in the first week, but it’ll hopefully show in week five and six.”