2026 WXV Global Series preview: Canada — tough away tour, home rematches with England

The useful part

Canada Bluebell Nicholls Published: 9 September 2026 11:04 EDT womens internationals-womens BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA. Oliva Apps of Canada celebrates victory after the Pacific Four Series match between Australia Wallaroos and Canada at Suncorp Stadium on May 23, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. ADVERTISEMENT 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.

How it works

• In the post-match commentary, head coach Kévin Rouet said: "We didn't show our best product today and that's on us.
• 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...
• 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.
• She scored tries in every Pacific Four game, including both scores in the New Zealand fixture.
• Predictions Canada are daring England to lose this WXV Global Series campaign.

What to take from it

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. 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.

Example or evidence

• ADVERTISEMENT 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.
• ADVERTISEMENT 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...

Details worth keeping

It showed a team that looked unconfident and disjointed. We just came back together as a team, but we have to find our way. 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.

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