Canada's Sophie de Goede receives the tournament's best player trophy at the end of the Women's Rugby World Cup final match between England and Canada at London's Allianz Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

By The Canadian Press

De Goede to captain Canada in rugby rematches with world champion England

Oct 9, 2026 | 10:39 AM

TORONTO — World Rugby’s reigning women’s player of the year Sophie de Goede will captain Canada in its upcoming matches against world champion England.

The Victoria native, who led Canada to last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final, headlines a 31-player roster announced Friday by head coach Kevin Rouet.

Canada will face England on Oct. 16 at Toronto’s BMO Field and Oct. 23 at TD Place in Ottawa, marking the squad’s first home games since losing 33-13 to host England in last year’s World Cup final.

Third-ranked Canada battled the world champions to a 26-26 draw last month in Exeter, snapping the Red Roses’ four-year, 39-game winning streak.

“The players were not satisfied with the tie against England last month,” Rouet said in a statement. “We want to prove to everyone that this team is moving in the right direction as we build towards the next World Cup in 2029.”

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Olympic rugby sevens silver medallists Piper Logan and Caroline Crossley are the two additions to the squad that faced Scotland, England and France in Europe last month.

Crossley, who has 13 international appearances in the 15-a-side game, started in last year’s World Cup final. Logan, a regular on Canada’s international rugby sevens squad, will be looking to earn her first cap in the 15-a-side game.

Alysha Corrigan returns after missing last month’s matches because of injury, while Rori Wood is back with the national team for the first time since suffering an injury ahead of the 2025 World Cup.

Prop Brittany Kassil is also back in the squad after a red-card suspension kept her out of last month’s matches against England and France.

De Goede will be supported by vice-captains Olivia Apps, Justine Pelletier and Alex Tessier.

CANADA ROSTER

Forwards: Brooke Rempel (Ariss, Ont.), Brittany Kassil (Guelph, Ont.), Caroline Crossley (Victoria), DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, Alta.), Emily Tuttosi (Souris, Man.), Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City), Gabrielle Senft (Regina), Gillian Boag (Calgary), Julia Omokhuale (Calgary), Kiki Idowu (Toronto), Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, Que.), Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, Ont.), Mikiela Nelson (Vancouver), Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, Que.), Rachel Smith (South Surrey, B.C.), Rori Wood (Sooke, B.C.), Sophie de Goede (Victoria), Sophie McDonald (Ottawa).

Backs: Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown), Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que.), Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto), Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, Ont.), Charity Williams (Toronto), Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton), Florence Symonds (Vancouver), Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, Que.), Olivia Apps (Lindsay, Ont.), Piper Logan (Calgary), Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, B.C.), Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, B.C.), Taylor Perry (Oakville, Ont.).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press