Canada captain still loses sleep over final loss

Nearly a year has passed since Canada suffered a loss to England in the Women's Rugby World Cup final, but the pain remains for some of the team, including captain Sophie de Goede. The Canadian captain, who prepares to face England again this Saturday at Sandy Park in Exeter, admits that she often loses sleep due to thoughts about the final.

De Goede emphasizes that this match is not a quest for revenge, as England won the most crucial game in the World Cup history, and the next important games will be in the 2029 World Cup. England will face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, followed by two more tests against Canada in Toronto and Ottawa. England's head coach John Mitchell describes these upcoming matches as an audition for the 2029 World Cup, highlighting the challenges the team will face in different facilities and diverse geography.

Mitchell also notes that Canada's performance under pressure will be a key aspect to watch. Despite the lack of professional contracts in Canada, the country's women's rugby program employs a clever strategy by utilizing England's PWR league to develop its players. Currently, there are 25 Canadians playing in PWR, and the Canadian coaching staff includes Kevin Rouet, Alex Austerberry (from Saracens Women), and Nathan Smith (from Loughborough Lightning).

Mitchell has expressed his desire to increase PWR game time for English Qualified Players (EQP) to give them a higher probability of playing for the Red Roses. The RFU has confirmed that the current requirement of 13 EQP players per matchday squad will remain, but the incentive to sign foreign talent may decrease due to the removal of club injury credits.