Nearly a year after Canada's Women's Rugby World Cup final defeat to England, captain Sophie de Goede reveals she still loses sleep four to five nights a week thinking about the match. Canada, ranked third globally, face the world champions at Sandy Park in Exeter this Saturday. Head coach Kevin Rouet downplays revenge narratives, emphasizing the next crucial games will be at the 2029 World Cup. England's schedule includes subsequent tests against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium and two more against Canada in Toronto and Ottawa, which Red Roses coach John Mitchell calls an "audition" for 2029.

The Canadian program leverages England's domestic PWR league for player development, with 25 Canadians currently playing in the competition. Coaching staff Kevin Rouet and Alex Austerberry also coach Saracens Women, while Nathan Smith is with Loughborough Lightning. Mitchell has advocated increasing PWR game time for English Qualified Players (EQP) to 1,000 minutes per season, arguing it raises the probability of Red Roses selection. The RFU confirmed EQP squad requirements remain, but club injury credit will be removed from 2027-28, only covering injuries sustained on international duty.