By Canadian Press

Canadian women to face U.S. in Ottawa in final home game before Rugby World Cup

May 2, 2025 | 7:44 AM

Canada, ranked second in the world, will host the ninth-ranked U.S. on Aug. 1 at Ottawa’s TD Place in its final home outing before the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Friday’s announcement came just hours before the two teams met in Kansas City to kick off Canada’s defence of its Pacific Four Series title. Going into the game, the Canadians had won nine straight against their southern rivals.

“We are excited to return to our country’s capital and to play on home soil before we embark on our journey to England for the Rugby World Cup,” Canadian back Alex Tessier said in a statement. “Over the last few years, we have really felt the support from Canadians and the belief in our squad.

“Canadians uniting in the name of sport is a powerful thing that we can feel when we are on the pitch, and seeing Canada rally behind us and pack TD Place will be the best sendoff for our team.”

After the Kansas City game, the Canadians head to the Southern Hemisphere to continue Pacific Four Series play against No. 3 New Zealand on May 16 in Christchurch and No. 6 Australia on May 23 in Brisbane.

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In July, the Canadian women head to South Africa for games against the 12th-ranked Springbok women on July 5 in Pretoria and on July 12 in Gqeberha. Canada will play No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Belfast in its final World Cup tune-up.

Rouet will take a 32-woman roster to the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27.

Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji at the expanded 16-country showcase. The Americans will play in Pool A alongside England, No. 6 Australia and No. 14 Samoa.

It marks the fourth year in a row that Ottawa has hosted international rugby.

The Canadian women last competed at TD Place in the 2023 Pacific Four Series while Canada’s men took centre stage in 2022 and ’24.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press