Rugby World Cup final still generates a mix of emotions for Canada coach, captain

It’s been a little more than a month since the Women’s Rugby World Cup final, and Canada captain Sophie de Goede is back playing for England’s Saracens and coach Kevin Rouet is planning ahead. 

But both have yet to get put their 33-13 loss to England’s Red Roses in the championship game behind them.

“I certainly don’t think I’m over it, especially being here in England,” said de Goede, who plays her club rugby for Saracens. “There’s a lot of reminders.”

“I think it’s a mix of two emotions, two really strong emotions, that I’m still feeling right now,” she added. “Immense disappointment and you’re gutted, because not only did we lose but we didn’t have the performance that we would have wanted.

“Also pride in the tournament and in, from all accounts, how rugby has gained momentum back home throughout that tournament … And also just how our team came together internally as well.”

Rouet is also dealing with reminders of the final.

“It’s interesting because from the outside, people say ‘Oh, England found a way to defend you.’ And I still don’t think that … I don’t really believe that England has been that amazing,” he said.

Instead Rouet sees the soft penalties and misfiring set pieces that hampered his side. 

“I’m still processing,” he concluded.

The tournament ended with de Goede being named World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year, awarded the trophy after the final whistle at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

“I’d certainly change it for the World Cup trophy but it is a very special award to win,” she said. “It is neat. Weird timing but it’s cool.”

Special because the 26-year-old from Victoria only returned to action in July from a lengthy stint on the sidelines after surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

De Goede, hooker Emily Tuttosi and scrum half Justine Pelletier were named to World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, along with seven players from England, four from New Zealand and one from France.

Rouet missed out on Coach of the Year honours, which went to England’s John Mitchell. Not everyone agreed with that decision despite England’s 33-game winning streak

“Even the prime minister told me I should have been coach of the year,” Rouet, who met Mark Carney at the final, said with a smile.

After the tournament, De Goede spent a week relaxing in Portugal with teammates Paige Farries, Claire Gallagher and DaLeaka Menin. She then returned to London to sort out her living arrangements ahead of the Oct. 24 kickoff of the PWR season.

Rouet spent five days in his native France, visiting family and friends, before returning to Canada to get back to work. He plans to alternate between Canada and Europe over the next few months, monitoring Canadians playing in England and France.

There are lots to see. He reckons some 25 capped Canadians will be playing in the English league this season.

The loss in the final makes for unfinished business for the second-ranked Canadian women, meaning some have put off retirement plans. 

“Some of them are like “I don’t know yet.’ And they need more than two weeks or three weeks or one month to make final call on their life choices,” said Rouet.

Rouet says 38-year-old Karen Paquin, a veteran of four World Cups already, may keep playing. Others might take a break and then return to the program.

Canada, England, France and New Zealand have already qualified for the 2029 World Cup in Australia by making the semifinals in this year’s tournament.

Big games await in the meantime.

The WXV tournament is now known as the WXV Global Series, with the world’s top 12 teams competing in a September-October international window. While the schedule has yet to be released, the Canadian women can look forward to some top-level opposition — and possibly a rematch with England.

“It’s fun playing in this league over here because you get to know the English players pretty well. You get to know them as people too and they’re good people,” said de Goede. “But it also adds fuel to the fire and to the rivalry. Not to mention the World Cup final.

“There’s always a lot of excitement when we get to play England. And this year more than ever.”

Canada has not beaten the Red Roses since July 2016, losing the last 14 meetings.

The Canadian women will see action in the Pacific Four Series in April against No. 3 New Zealand, No. 7 Australia and the eighth-ranked U.S.

In June, Rugby Canada announced Rouet’s contract has been extended through the end of 2027. He took over the team in March 2022, elevated from assistant coach.

He is already looking for help in some key positions, noting for example that the average age of his props is 30.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2025.