Canada’s Women Ready to Shine at Rugby World Cup Opener
The Canadian women’s rugby team is kicking off their Rugby World Cup campaign in England this weekend, and all eyes are on them. Ranked number two in the world, Canada comes into the tournament not just with skill but with incredible depth across their roster. Their opening match is against Fiji, ranked 14th, and it’s shaping up to be more than just a test of strength—it’s a chance to showcase the team’s experience, resilience, and ambition.
Head coach Kevin Rouet has assembled a starting lineup that brings a staggering 486 combined international appearances, or “caps,” onto the field. Even the bench is loaded with experience, with another 293 caps waiting to come in. That means Canada can turn to players like Tyson Beukeboom, the most-capped Canadian women’s player, along with veterans DaLeaka Menin, Karen Paquin, and Emily Tuttosi, all ready to make an impact when needed. Some of these athletes are entering their fourth World Cup, a sign of both consistency and longevity in the program.
Canada’s history with Fiji is brief—they’ve only met once before, back in 2022, when Canada took the win 24–7 in Suva. But the Fijians are known to be unpredictable, and Rouet acknowledged that while Fiji will challenge them with their flair and pace, the responsibility is on Canada to impose its own style of play and prove why they’re considered one of the top teams in the world.
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The path through this tournament won’t be easy. After Fiji, Canada faces Wales and Scotland in the group stage, both ranked inside the world’s top ten. If the rankings play out as expected, Canada could see a daunting knockout run: Australia in the quarterfinals, New Zealand in the semifinals, and potentially England in the final at a packed Twickenham Stadium. Tickets are already flying off the shelves, with over 375,000 sold for this expanded 16-team competition.
Momentum is on Canada’s side. The team enters the World Cup on a seven-game unbeaten streak, including a win over Ireland earlier this month and a hard-fought draw with New Zealand in May. Their only stumble in the past year came against England, a team everyone sees as the ultimate hurdle. Still, Canada has proven it can compete with the best, and the players are eager to take that next step.
This tournament also carries a sense of redemption for individuals. Fly half Taylor Perry, for example, finally makes her World Cup debut after missing the last edition due to a devastating knee injury just before kickoff in 2022. And younger players like Rachel Smith are set to taste World Cup action for the very first time.
Canada’s best finish came in 2014, when they lost in the final to England. They’ve reached the semifinals several times but are still chasing that first championship. With this roster’s depth, form, and determination, many believe 2025 could be their moment.
As the whistle blows in York against Fiji, the Canadian women aren’t just beginning another campaign—they’re carrying the weight of experience, the hope of a nation, and the belief that this time, the story might finally end with the trophy in their hands.
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