Canada expect landmark victory over Red Roses - Apps
Scrum-half Olivia Apps believes the time is right for Canada to end England's four-year unbeaten run when the teams meet on Friday
Key points
- Canada scrum-half Olivia Apps says her team now expects to beat England in their two Tests in Toronto and Ottawa.
- Canada drew 26-26 with England in Exeter last month, the first time England have failed to win in nearly four years.
- Apps credits her time at Saracens with removing the mystique around England's players and boosting Canada's belief.
Canada scrum-half Olivia Apps says her side expect to claim a landmark victory over England in their two-Test Rugby Rematch Tour. The teams meet in Toronto on Friday and again in Ottawa seven days later, Canada's first home matches since a Rugby World Cup warm-up in August 2025.
More than 15,000 fans are expected at BMO Field for the first Test. The series follows Canada's 26-26 draw with England in Exeter last month, the first time England have avoided defeat in nearly four years.
Belief after Exeter draw
Apps, who plays for Saracens in the PWR, said training alongside England internationals has taken away the uncertainty around facing them. "Playing at Saracens has really helped to take the mystique away from all these names that you see on a teamsheet," she told BBC Sport.
In the final play in Exeter, with scores level, Canada chose to kick the ball into touch rather than chase a winning try. Apps said it was the right call but that the team felt disappointment at not beating England.
Playing at Saracens has really helped to take the mystique away from all these names that you see on a teamsheet
— Olivia Apps
Home advantage and funding
Canada head coach Kevin Rouet has targeted a rematch win throughout 2026. Apps said the current squad, together for five weeks, feels confident and that there is now more expectation. "Overall, I think we'd be really, really disappointed in ourselves if we couldn't get a victory this weekend," she said.
Canada's strong World Cup campaign preceded a new 755m Canadian dollars (£401m) government funding package for sport announced in May. Apps said the team has yet to see what it means specifically for rugby but has heard positive things. A documentary on the World Cup campaign, All Heart, has just been released.
