Sophie de Goede returns as Canada captain for World Cup final rematch

Sophie de Goede is back in Canada’s starting XV for the team’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 replay with England’s Red Roses.

It will be the first time the two teams have met since the showpiece finale at Allianz Stadium, in which England won 33-13 in front of a world record crowd of 81,885.

Last week De Goede joined her team’s 64-26 win over Scotland from the replacements, as the North Americans’ WXV Global Series campaign started on a high note. She will captain Canada for the 25th time in her career.

The return of reigning World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, De Goede, sees Rachel Smith move to the back-row and join Julia Omokhuale and Lizzie Gibson.

Asia Hogan-Rochester’s inclusion is the only change to the back three. In last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final, Hogan-Rochester scored both of Canada’s tries. The wing joins try-scoring debutant Charity Williams and Claire Gallagher. Fancy Bermudez drops out of the team entirely.

After her red card against Scotland, and subsequent two-game ban, Brittney Kassil is replaced by Mikiela Nelson as starting loosehead prop. Sophie McDonald retains her place on the bench after making her Test debut a week ago.

Kévin Rouet, Canada head coach, said: “It’s always an exciting challenge to go against England. This is why you coach and play, to test yourself against the best.

“Playing England in England is never easy but this is the first of three opportunities we have to play against them, the next two will be in Canada so this week is another step in our journey to test ourselves and make sure we are ready to perform in Canada in front of our fans.”

Canada will host the Red Roses for two matches in October as part of WXV Global Series. They will play fixtures in Toronto and Ottawa as part of The Rugby Rematch Tour, with ticket sales for the Friday 16 October clash indicating that a new attendance for a standalone women’s rugby fixture in North America will be set.

2026 WXV Global Series | Canada match day squad v England

15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders / Aurora Barbarians (23 caps)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (12 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (19 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Exeter Chiefs / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (69 caps)
11. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish (1 cap)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (27 caps)
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Saracens / Lindsay RFC (26 caps)
1. Mikiela Nelson (Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC (12 caps)
2. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds / Toronto Scottish (4 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs / Calgary Hornets (73 caps)
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Saracens / Castaway Wanderers (45 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University (26 caps)
6. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (8 caps)
7. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Saracens / Calgary Irish Rugby Club (10 caps)
8. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders (3 caps)

Replacements
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (39 caps)
17. Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – Ontario East / University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club (1 cap)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / Ontario West / Brantford Harlequins (3 caps)
19. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Loughborough Lightning / Ottawa Irish (22 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Stade Bordelais / Castaway Wanderers (44 caps)
22. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec (47 caps)
23. Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds / Capilano RFC (1 cap)