Thank you so much for joining me for this semi-final and what a match it was! England march on to the final but who they will face is still up in the air. Join me for New Zealand v France to see who the Red Roses will play, either team will be aiming to end England’s 30-match winning run.
Canada head coach Kevin Rouet said:”I am proud of the girls. It’s about details and England were better than us on details. I think there are more than a few missed opportunities for us… We’ll be back.”
And he added on the bronze medal match: “I think for tonight we will be disappointed but I am confident we will come back to win third place.
England head coach Simon Middleton told ITV: “We had to do it by hook or by crook today. We have work to do, we have to make sure we recover really well. We didn’t play well today. Canada were absolutely brilliant today. they just don’t make any mistakes with the ball… We are under massive pressure.
And on the penalty count: “We only conceded five last week but when you come under pressure you are going to concede.”
And on Dow: “It’s why we brought her. Emily and the medical staff [are amazing], we were always going to give her a chance. A shout out to Claudia to, it’s fairy tale they combined for that try.
Who he wants in the final: “I don’t care. I’m going to lie down in a dark room and watch the other semi!”
Have a look at Dow’s second try, it is just insane:
"THAT'S A SCREAMER!"
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 5, 2022
WHAT A TRY!
From one end, to the other💯 #RWC2021 #CANVSENG pic.twitter.com/MgpHbwlvP8
England vice-captain Emily Scarratt told ITV: “It was really tough, I am glad I was able to do my part today. Canada were fantastic, we pulled up in a few areas but at this point in the tournament you have to be on the right side of the scoreboard which we were today.”
On Dow: “She was supposed to be out for nine months [with her broken leg] and she is seven months in and she is scoring tries like that!”
On Eden Park: “It’s nuts isn’t it! When you think of bucket list stuff as a rugby player this is right up there.”
The ITV pundits have posed an interesting question, did England win that or did Canada lose it? I think the answer is not clean cut. Canada did lose a few line-outs by their line which would have seen them pop more points on the board. But equally England’s defence was brutal and game management was incredible to get them over the line. I think we can all agree what a Test match it was though!
Canada captain Sophie de Goede told ITV: “Words can’t put it into context. I am incredibly proud, we are disappointed. We are not happy losing in the semi.
“All that really matters is the win, credit to them they got that today. I don’t think this was our best performance.. with more time together and more [funding] we could do more. We’re very grateful to be part of Rugby Canada, I don’t think it is our union they have supported us really well. We just don’t have the capabilities right now.”
England captain Sarah Hunter said: “It was incredible. Canada really tested us, for rugby fans I hope that was an advertisement for what women’s rugby is all about. Canada were relentless and the girls put their bodies on the line.”
On game management: “We knew Canada would be in it, we know they have been fantastic all tournament. So when we knew there were points on offer you have to take them.”
Sport gets me so emotional and seeing the Canada players so heartbroken has sent me. They have challenged England the most we have seen in a long while, especially by an amateur side.
The celebrations from England really shows how much they were pushed in this match. Canada were amazing, impeccable attack and brutal defence. But in the end the Red Roses displayed what they could do, they didn’t concede a point in the sin bin period and they defended really well time and time again to keep the ever-threatening Canada at bay.
Full-time: Canada 19-26 England
Canada put up a ferocious fight but in the end the Red Roses nail their defence to seal their spot in the RWC final! That was one of the best games of women’s rugby I have seen and to think Canada are an amateur outfit is just crazy. England march onto the final.
79 min: England have disrupted the ball at the line-out and they win it back. A line-out to come and it is clean from the Red Roses. They are building from deep here and will want to run down the clock here!
78 min: Kabeya is Herculean in defence but Canada still come forward. But Kildunne turns it over! Harrison kicks away and Alarie catches. I don’t know how the players are feeling but my nerves are shot! England now have the ball and surely they will look to tick down the clock but Brown gives away the penalty! Oh my word, what an ending we have as Canada kick to the corner.
76 min: England will have to be squeaky clean here and that is a huge tackle from Kabeya. Canada are so good with ball in hand, so clinical and patient. They are edging closer and closer. They get into the 22 with five minutes left on the clock and Corrigan does really well to pick up a loose pass.
74 min: England knock on through Aitchison in defence and Canada have the scrum once more. If this game does finish level we will have extra time here, I’m unsure if my heart can take it! There was a slight break in play ahead of the set piece but Canada come away with it when we’re back underway.
73 min: A really poor kick from Aitchison sees Canada on the attack again, they have the advantage and we come back for it. The Canadian scrum sees England give away with penalty and they opt for the scrum again. Don’t you just love Test rugby?! Canada come away with it and England have to do more defensive work.
PENALTY! Canada 19-26 England (Scarratt, 71')
It is over and England have a seven point cushion, nerves of steel from Scarratt.
70 min: Does anyone else feel sick with nerves? I definitely do! Ten minutes on the clock and just four points between these sides. Aitchison is on for Heard. Could Canada end England’s winning run? They have been the silent assassins in this tournament with the spotlight being elsewhere. Canada are building from deep here, my heart is beating so fast. Canada kick away and England are now in possession for what feels like an age! They win the penalty and they opt for the sticks – a huge kick to come from Scarratt.
TRY! Canada 19-23 England (Beukeboom, 68')
Oh my word, what a try! Beukeboom made the break and finished the move off, De Goede gets the extras and my oh my this semi is tight!
Updated
68 min: Cokayne is off for Davies as well for England as Canada look to attack once more – the questions over their fitness have surely been dispelled with this impressive and continued hammering of the England line. Beukeboom makes an incredible break to put Canada just a few metres away!
66 min: Another counter-ruck from England is good and they turn it over! I think Cornborough will be able to rejoin this when there is a break in play. Harrison lofts it into the stands and here the prop comes. Back to 15 players and England did not concede a point during that sin bin. Kabeya is on too.
65 min: Tuttosi is off for Beag and Cokayne received some treatment ahead of this scrum. After a reset England come away with it and Harrison kicks away under a low of pressure. Canada have it and are hunting for their third of the match, the fight from both teams is impressive. Alarie does really well again to gain valuable metres, they are getting closer.
63 min: So can England see out this yellow card without conceding? Their defence are hoping so and they do well to bring down Canada’s maul legally. Cleall makes a great tackle and she wins the penalty!
62 min: England give away yet another penalty and Canada kick to the corner. There’s a break in play here, a Canadian is receiving treament.
61 min: Bern makes a great run and England are into the 22. They are doing really well with a player down. Scarratt picks up a loose ball but it has been turned over by Canada and Pelletier is almost away! Dow eventually gets her down but she has made a great break!
59 min: I think Alarie is actually staying on! England’s Muir makes an appearance as England have a scrum and with Cornborough in the bin they need a complete front row. They come away with it and are running through the phases.
58 min: There’s a big break in play as Alarie receives treatment, it seems likely the full-back will be replaced.
58 min: England are sloppy but they come away with it. They are going through the phases here but Harrison kicks away. Alarie is down injured so for now the sides are even. England are in attack now but the referee pauses play for Alarie.
56 min: This will be a test for England now, an 11-point cushion to defend with over 20 minutes to go. You would think the cushion would shrink but Tuttosi’s line-out isn’t straight! A huge let off for England. The Red Roses opt for the line-out and Ward has it. They go with the maul and they are looking to run it out of their 22 here. And wow! They have the penalty and they will clear their lines. Expert response to the yellow from the Red Roses.
YELLOW CARD! Canada 12-23 England (Cornborough, 54')
Canada go for the driving maul and they win a penalty from the set piece. They kick to the corner again and England will have to be careful after that earlier warning from the referee. They go with the maul once more and Canada have the advantage again. A card is coming I think and yes it is.
52 min: The tries in this match have been breath-taking, what an advertisement for women’s rugby. This is spicy and could still go either way. The latest score left me with my mouth wide open! Hunter has been replaced by Cleall. Canada get the penalty and they kick to the corner.
TRY! Canada 12-23 England (Dow, 50')
What have we just witnessed?! MacDonald’s initial break is amazing who offloads to Dow and oh my word. She runs, runs and keeps on running! That is one of the best tries of this tournament.
Updated
49 min: Canada are patient in their attack and so far England are doing well not to give away the penalty. They are just metres away here, they are so close! England push Canada backwards and Cokayne turns the ball over. But they can’t claim it and Canada are in attack again, jeez this is beautiful rugby. England turn it over again, superb defence to not give away a penalty in that. MacDonald is now countering!
47 min: Castle is on for Canada as the team look to attack here. They have just entered the 22 but a Tuttosi pass which was meant for Paquin is loose, England look as though they have it back but MacDonald knocks on. A Canada scrum to come. Eight handling errors for England now, this has been their weakness for quite some time and they’ll need to tighten up if they want to win this. Canada come away with the ball.
45 min: Rowland is heading off the field on a cart, she is clapping the crowd but there will be worries for Simon Middleton. Confirmation Kildunne is on and we are back underway.
45 min: Medics are surrounding Rowland and the injury must have come in that latest ruck. This will be heartbreaking for the star, especially if England do reach the final. I think Rowland will be replaced by Kildunne but I will confirm shortly.
45 min: Canada have made a change with Kassil on for DeMerchant. Rowland again takes the ball into contact but Canada rip the ball and they will attack here. Tuttosi does extremely well to collect a ball which look destined for a knock on. England are defending with a player down as Rowland is down and receiving treatment. The referee pauses play to allow Rowland time for treatment – this will be a huge blow.
PENALTY! Canada 12-18 England (Scarratt, 43')
It is over! A six point cushion but they’ll need more.
42 min: England are patient on the ball and they earn a penalty at the breakdown, England point to the sticks – they know how important each point will be.
41 min: Rowland has made great metres in England’s early attack, she has been cracking at full-back so far, and the team are now running through the phases. Bern gets some vital metres but so far Canada are doing well once again in defence.
Back underway! Canada 12-15 England
So we are 40 minutes away from finding out one of the teams in the final! A lot of people have been talking about whether Canada will be able to match England in fitness and I hope they can. A toe-to-toe contest for the full 80 would be so tasty!
Who do you think will take this match? I honestly cannot call it and I’d love to hear from you, you can contact me via Twitter and email.
Just take a look at this try, magic in motion:
Canada are back in it!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 5, 2022
A lovely finish for the maple leafs 🍁#RWC2021 #CANVSENG pic.twitter.com/FW4zW9LZtV
Half-time: Canada 12-15 England
Well this is coming close to the best game of the tournament so far. England raced to a 12-0 lead but Canada struck back with two beautiful tries. It is all still to play for. What a match!
PENALTY! Canada 12-15 England (Scarratt, 40')
And it is over! That’s half-time, what a thrilling half.
39 min: After a reset Canada come away with it but they are under immense pressure, England keen to hit back before the break. Grant kicks away but England have it and they are looking for their third. Scarratt makes a great break to put them in the 22 and they are going through the phases here. England have the penalty and they are debating whether to go to corner or posts. They go for posts! Kick to come.
37 min: There’s a break in play but we are underway once more, a Canada scrum to come.
37 min: It is worth noting that Canada are an amateur outfit, the only semi-finalists not to be professional. And they are going toe-to-toe with the world number one side. England looking to strike back but Heard knocks on.
TRY! Canada 12-12 England (Corrigan, 35')
Canada opt for the maul again and what amazing work! They march at least 15 metres and England are pinged again. The referee has a word with Hunter warning her about these penalties piling up. Tessier kicks to the corner, another try for them feels imminent. Canada playing England at their own game as they go for the maul again, this time it is great defence from England to stop the maul charging over. The Red Roses have to maintain their defence though and Canada go so close. They run it wide and Corrigan is over. Do Goede adds the extras and we are level!
Updated
33 min: Canada have another clean line-out and they are now the ones to use the driving maul. Matthews is judged to have brought that down and Tessier kicks, not earning many metres though. The Canadian line-out is good and they are now on the hunt for their second try.
31 min: Canada were going through the phases and were a little scrappy but play is halted by the referee as there was a neck roll from Canada – unsure which player as the replay wasn’t clear. Harrison clears England’s lines. The line-out is sloppy from England as Packer loses it and it is Canada who are on the attack here. Kaljuvee pops a kick in but Dow catches and calls the mark.
29 min: Canada have the scrum and they come away with it, they kick away and England have it. But now England are the ones to be charged down! Canada can’t pounce on the loose ball and Harrison boots it into the stands. A Canadian line-out in a great position, it was slightly loose but they come away with it.
27 min: Hunt turns it over at the breakdown, great defence from the Canadian. There’s time off as players receive some treatment and some water. Well what a semi this is!
26 min: Aldcroft wins the penalty at the breakdown and Harrison kicks to the corner. Will the driving maul be called into action now? The line-out from Cokayne is clean but they decide to run it. Ward thinks she has it over the line but impressive defence sees the ball held up! A goal line drop out from Canada rolls all the way to halfway and England are in attack once more.
24 min: England get the ball out the scrum and Harrison kicks away. The TMO are checking to see if that was a 50:22 and it is! England line-out is good and they decide to run it. Harrison offloads slickly to Rowland to get them into the 22.
22 min: Canada have another scrum and they come away with it, fast and firing. But They knock on and England will have the set piece now. The try from Paquin has awoken the Canadian beast, this match is going to be tasty!
TRY! Canada 5-12 England (Paquin, 19')
I am lost for words at how amazing that was. It is a clean scrum from both sides but Pelletier got the ball quickly and made a cracking break. She dummied to fool MacDonald and Paquin was in! Sensational.
Updated
18 min: Dow will get the plaudits for finishing that off but Rowland put in all the groundwork there. Harrison clears with a kick to halfway and Tuttosi will want a clean line-out here. But it is loose again and England look to attack once more. Rowland’s pass to MacDonald isn’t clinical though and Canada opt for the scrum.
TRY! Canada 0-12 England (Dow, 15')
England get it back and Rowland makes a fantastic break! She offloads to Dow who stretches over, Middleton fist pumps! Scarratt narrowly misses the kick, it bounces off the post.
Updated
14 min: Canada’s first line-out of the match is loose and Infante comes away with it. A great fend from Dow gets England into the 22 and carries from Cornborough and Aldcroft edge them closer. Harrison pops a gruber kick in, an interesting choice as England were going through the motions and a try felt imminent, and Canada clear.
12 min: England regather at the restart but the kicking game is back, it seems it will be a key part of this match. The Red Roses are playing it wide but Harrison puts boot to ball and Tessier collects and kicks away. It works well for Canada but Heard charges down a kick from Tessier and England charge forward once more. Harrison’s pass is loose though – it is frantic right now!
TRY! Canada 0-7 England (Packer, 8')
A reset to the scrum eventually sees England come away with it. Rowland’s dancing feet sees her spread the ball wide, she eventually passes to Scarratt and she is turfed into touch. They were playing the advantage though and Harrison kicks to the corner. A clean line-out and the driving maul gives them a try once more! Scarratt adds the extras.
Updated
6 min: Canada do really well to make sure they don’t give it away and they clear their lines. England run it through the players as they attack with a slick offload from Scarratt to Heard. Harrison does her own dummy and she is almost away and England edge closer. But, alas, we will have to wait for the first try of the match. A loose pass from Ward to Packer is loose but England had the advantage, Red Roses scrum to come.
4 min: Pelletier attempts a dummy but it is read well by the English defence. And it is a stellar effort from England who win it back but Canada win it back quickly! Wow what a start to this match. The Red Roses turn it over once more and Rowland brings the kicking game in once more. The Kick from Harrison is great and England pin Canada in their own 22.
2 min: A great kick-off from Canada sees the side come away with it and they are running through the phases early doors. The kicking game comes into play and the ball is loose from Emily Scarratt who knocks on, a Canada scrum to come. The set piece will be interesting as Canada can match the Red Roses up front. It is a clean scrum and Canada come away with it and shift the ball wide, a really bright start from them.
Kick-off! Canada 0-0 England
Here we go! Who will bag their final spot? England are red hot favourites but Canada are capable of an upset …
The players are out and the anthems will be in full flow shortly! Anyone else nervous? Knock-out rugby could throw up anything!
England head coach Simon Middleton has not taken kindly to some criticism levied against his team about their dependable driving maul. A lot of tries are being scored by the England forwards, six of the seven scored against Australia were from the forwards, and he once again commented on the topic ahead of the semi-final. He said: “We know what our game looks like. We’re confident we’ve got whatever game we need to get in the performance we want. I think New Zealand have got a bigger problem because they can only score with their backs, but nobody is making a fuss about that.”
Canada captain Sophie de Goede told the BBC: “We all believe in each other. England is a formidable team. The pressure is on them. We’re probably the only people that truly believe we can pull off that upset.”
The match today is a revisit of the 2014 RWC final where England won 21-9. This game is full of rivalry and it will be interesting to see which way it will go.
Here are a few preview to sink your teeth into ahead of the match:
Our man on the ground Rob Kitson has a weather update from Eden Park and says it is ideal weather for rugby today! As opposed to last week’s torrential rain nightmare, the skies are clear, the sun is shining although there is a slight breeze. Will we see England use the weather to run the ball through the hands? Or will the driving maul once again come into action? All will be revealed from 3.30 …
Get in touch and let me know how you’re feeling this morning! Did you stay up to keep up to date or have a nap? I had a four hour nap which I hope is enough to see my through both matches! You can contact me via Twitter and email.
As I said the team news is here and Canada have an unchanged starting 15 but they have mixed up their bench. They have named seven forwards in their replacements in a bid to match England up front.
Canada starting XV: Alarie; Grant, Corrigan, Kaljuvee, Farries; Tessier, Pelletier; DeMerchant, Tuttosi, Menin, Holtkamp, Hunt, Forteza, Paquin, De Goede (capt).
Replacements: Boag, Kassil, Ellis, Fuamba, Beukeboom, Senft, Svoboda, Holly.
England, meanwhile, have made just one change from their win over Australia in the quarter-final. Claudia MacDonald comes in at the wing for Lydia Thompson. There were two late changes with the Red Roses announcing at 2.30am today. Hannah Botterman was due to start but has picked up a knee injury and so Vickii Cornborough is in the front row. Lucy Packer was named on the bench but she has an ankle problem. Shaunagh Brown and Sadia Kabeya come onto the bench.
England starting XV: Rowland; Dow, Scarratt, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Infante; Corborough, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, Packer, Hunter (capt).
Replacements: Davies, Muir, Brown, Galligan, Cleall, Kabeya, Aitchison, Kildunne.
Preamble
Welcome back to our coverage of the Rugby World Cup! Both semi-finals will be played today and we have live updates from each match to make sure you don’t miss any action. First up is Canada v England with the latter favourites to take their place in the final. Canada have been impressive during the tournament though and have been quite happy moving along with none of the media spotlight.
In recent years England have had the upper hand in this fixture, the last coming in the autumn of 2021 where the Red Roses inflicted a 51-12 result. But many will be expecting the result to be much closer this morning. And it is not just the RWC final spot that these teams are playing for, Canada have the opportunity to spoil England’s winning streak. Simon Middleton’s side are on a 29 game run and the opposition today would love nothing more than to stop them getting to 30.
The team news is out so stay tuned for updates ahead of kick-off at 3.30 GMT.
