Rugby News · Americas

Canada Stun England, USA Make It Four: What the WXV Global Series Weekend Means for the Americas

In 24 hours, Canada ended England's 41-match unbeaten run in front of a record Toronto crowd and the USA Women's Eagles beat Italy for a fourth straight Test win. Here's what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next in Ottawa, Nashville and New Jersey.

The first weekend of the WXV Global Series October window was the best weekend for women's rugby in the Americas in years. On Friday night, October 16, Canada beat England 24–21 at BMO Field in Toronto, ending the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten run. Twenty-four hours later, the USA Women's Eagles beat Italy 36–27 in Mansfield, Texas, for their fourth Test win in a row.

Two North American teams, two statement results, and two very different stories. Canada proved, again, that they belong in the conversation with the best team in the world. The USA proved that their September wins in Dublin and Cardiff were not a fluke. This is APR's analysis of what happened, what it tells us about the state of the women's game in North America, and why it should matter to every American rugby player, whether you play for your country or for a club in Las Vegas.

What Is the WXV Global Series?

The WXV Global Series is World Rugby's new structure for women's Test rugby, and 2026 is its first edition. Twelve national teams take part: Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, the United States and Wales. Instead of the old WXV tiers, the teams play each other in two tour windows. In September, the European nations hosted. In October, the southern-hemisphere and North American nations host.

For American and Canadian fans, that second window is the important bit. It means top-tier women's Test rugby is being played on this continent, in real stadiums, in front of real crowds. Canada hosts England twice. The USA hosts Italy twice and then England. And because World Rugby's US broadcast deal with CBS Sports puts USA men's and women's matches on Paramount+, these games are easier to watch in America than they have ever been.

If you're new to the international calendar, our guide to pro rugby in the USA and how to watch it explains where every competition streams.

Canada 24–21 England: How the Red Roses' Run Ended

England arrived in Toronto as the world's top-ranked team and reigning world champions, having not lost a Test since the 2021 Rugby World Cup final, which was played in November 2022. The two sides had drawn 26–26 in Exeter in September, so Canada knew they could live with England. The question was whether they could finish the job.

The first half: England in control

Savannah Bauder opened the scoring for Canada in the 15th minute, but England responded the way great teams do. Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison scored quick tries before the break, and the Red Roses went in 14–5 up. An early England try from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald had already been ruled out for a knock-on in-goal, so the margin could have been bigger.

The second half: Canada's rally

Alysha Corrigan scored just after the restart and Sophie de Goede converted to bring Canada within two. England answered through Sarah Bern. Then DaLeaka Menin scored in the 63rd minute, de Goede converted again, and the game was back in the balance. With three minutes left, replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the winning try. Canada held on, and Taylor Perry kicked the ball into touch to end it.

The numbers that matter

APR's take: this was not an upset

Calling Canada's win an upset undersells it. Canada are ranked third in the world. They reached the 2025 World Cup final. They drew with England a month earlier. What changed on Friday night was the ending: Canada scored four tries to three and found a way to win the final ten minutes against a team that almost never loses them.

The detail we like most is where the winning try came from. Seumanutafa came off the bench. Teams that win close Test matches don't just have 15 good players; they have 23. Canada's depth is now showing up in the last quarter of games against the best team in the world. Head coach Kevin Rouet said beating England in this window was the target. They did it at the first attempt.

The record crowd matters just as much. 18,621 people at a women's Test in Toronto is a message to every promoter, broadcaster and sponsor in North America: there is an audience for this sport here, and it will show up.

USA 36–27 Italy: Four in a Row for the Women's Eagles

A day later in Texas, the USA Women's Eagles took on Italy at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. On paper this was a test of whether Jack Hanratty's side could handle being favorites. The USA came in ranked sixth in the world, two places above Italy, and riding three straight wins: South Africa in Pretoria in July, then Ireland in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff in September.

How the game unfolded

The Eagles started fast. Co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding scored in the 9th and 21st minutes, with Freda Tafuna's offload creating the second, and prop Hope Rogers added two tries before the break. Italy hit back through Francesca Granzotto and Vittoria Vecchini, but the USA led comfortably at half-time.

Perris-Redding completed her hat-trick early in the second half to make it 33–10. Then the game got interesting. A yellow card to Telesi Uhatafe gave Italy an extra player, and Aura Muzzo and Vittoria Zanette scored to cut the gap to 33–22. Bella Vogel, the 19-year-old fly-half, settled it with a penalty around four minutes from time. Granzotto's late second try made the final score 36–27.

Notice the try count. Both teams scored five tries. The difference was goal-kicking: Vogel kicked four conversions and a penalty, while Italy converted only one of five. In Test rugby, those eight or ten points off the tee are often the whole margin.

Milestones worth knowing

• Four straight wins: the Women's Eagles' longest winning run since the 2006 Rugby World Cup era, according to The Rugby Breakdown.
• Hope Rogers: now on 170 career Test points, eight short of Patty Jervey's USA record. She could break it in Nashville.
• Kate Zackary: her 52nd Test, moving past Jamie Burke into second on the USA's all-time caps list.
• Bella Vogel: just 19, with eight caps, and already trusted to close out a Test with a late penalty.

APR's take: good, not finished

Hanratty said his team played the best rugby of their year in moments but didn't capitalize consistently, and that's the honest read. The attack is real: ten line breaks, slick offloading and a back row led by Tafuna that carries and tackles all day. But Italy scored three tries in the second half, two of them while the USA were down to 14. Against England on October 30, those lapses will be punished.

Still, the trend line is what matters. Three years out from hosting a World Cup, the USA women are winning away in Europe and winning at home as favorites. That's how a program grows: results bring crowds, crowds bring sponsors, and sponsors bring the resources to keep improving.

Why This Weekend Matters for American Rugby

1. North America is now a real host for top-tier Tests

A few years ago, a women's Test against England or Italy on this continent was rare. This month there are five of them in two countries, plus two men's Tests against Australia A. The October window puts North American teams on home soil, in front of home crowds, against the best in the world. That is exactly the exposure the sport needs here ahead of the men's Rugby World Cup in the USA in 2031 and the women's tournament in 2033.

2. The women's game is leading the way

The men's Eagles are rebuilding toward Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, where they face France, Samoa and Japan in Pool E. The women's teams on both sides of the border are already beating the world's best. For young American players, especially girls choosing a sport, that matters. You can see a pathway that ends in a stadium full of fans.

3. Crowds are the next battleground

Toronto's 18,621 is a benchmark. The USA's October tests are in Mansfield (a stadium of around 7,000 seats), Nashville and Harrison, New Jersey. Filling those venues, and then bigger ones, is how American rugby convinces broadcasters and sponsors to invest more. If you're anywhere near Nashville on October 24 or New Jersey on October 30, buy a ticket.

4. The pipeline starts at club level

Most players on those rosters came up through clubs, colleges and high school teams. The growth of the women's game in the US depends on adult and youth clubs giving more women a place to start and a reason to stay. That is why the APR Games includes a Women's Social division, and why we want more women's and mixed teams from across the country in Las Vegas next May.

What to Watch Next: The Rest of the October Window

Kickoff times are from USA Rugby and Rugby Canada announcements; check the official sites before you travel. Canada v England in Ottawa is on TSN in Canada.

Three storylines to follow

• Can England bounce back in Ottawa? Coach John Mitchell said the defeat could free his squad up. A Red Roses side with something to prove is dangerous, and Canada will have to do it all again at TD Place.
• Five in a row in Nashville? A second win over Italy would give the Women's Eagles five straight before they face England. Watch for Hope Rogers chasing Patty Jervey's points record.
• The men's measuring stick. Australia A, coached by Stephen Larkham with Joe Schmidt and Simon Cron on staff, bring Wallabies-level talent, including Western Force fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and cross-code winger Zac Lomax. For Scott Lawrence's Eagles, two games against that squad are the best possible test a year out from the World Cup. Our October series preview covers what's at stake.

What 10s Players Can Learn From This Weekend

The APR Games is a 10s tournament, not a Test match, but the lessons from Toronto and Mansfield translate directly to the 10-a-side game we'll play under the lights in Las Vegas.

1. Kick your goals. The USA and Italy both scored five tries; the USA won by nine because of conversions. In a 40-minute 10s pool game, where scores are often close, a reliable goal-kicker can be the difference.
2. Your bench wins the last ten minutes. Canada's winning try came from a replacement. With two 20-minute halves at the APR Games, rotation and fresh legs late in the second half matter as much as your starting ten.
3. Offloads open up space. Hanratty credited improved offloading for the USA's tries. With ten players covering the full width of the pitch, keeping the ball alive through contact is even more valuable in 10s. Our guide to 10s rugby positions explains who should be offloading and when.
4. Discipline costs more with fewer players. Italy scored twice while the USA were down a player. In 10s, a yellow card means defending a huge pitch with nine, so stay onside and keep your tackles low.

Want to learn these things from experienced coaches? The APR Coaching Clinic runs May 28–31, 2027, alongside the tournament.

How the APR Games Fits In

The APR Games 2027 takes place in Las Vegas over Memorial Day Weekend, May 29–31, 2027, with evening kickoffs under floodlights. Every Men's Elite and Women's Social match is 10s rugby, ten players a side over two 20-minute halves. There's $15,000 in prize money: $10,000 for Men's Elite ($6,000 / $3,000 / $1,000) and $5,000 for Women's Social ($3,000 / $1,500 / $500). The Youth division plays for medals and trophies, with no entry fee.

Five founding Las Vegas franchises, the Vegas Kings, Vegas Knights, Vegas Blackjacks, Downtown Rugby and Vegas Lions, are joined by a mystery invitational team. Meet the APR teams, or read our full APR Games 2027 guide.

Coming to Vegas with your team? Our partner Luna Appleton covers where to stay, eat and celebrate in Las Vegas. And if your club wants to put its name up in lights at its home ground, talk to American LED Signage.

New to the sport after watching this weekend? Start with our guide to how to start playing rugby as an adult, then read what 10s rugby is.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources

• Rugby Canada: Canada secure historic victory over England in front of record 18,621 crowd
• Sky Sports: England stunned by late Canada rally as 41-match unbeaten run ends
• RugbyPass: Bella Vogel shines as USA overcome Italy in Texas
• Rugby365: Perris-Redding hat-trick powers USA past Italy
• The Rugby Breakdown: USA beats Italy
• USA Rugby: Tests in Texas, Tennessee and New Jersey
• Rugby Australia: Lomax called into Australia A squad for USA tour
• 2026 WXV Global Series (format and fixtures)

Match facts are taken from the sources above and are current as of October 19, 2026. Analysis and opinion are American Pro Rugby's own. Images are illustrations of APR franchises and do not depict real players or matches. APR Games details may be updated; full rules, squad sizes and eligibility will be confirmed with player registration. Follow the APR newsletter or contact us with questions.