Canadian women’s rugby team falls 21-5 to host France

LA ROCHELLE — The Canadian women’s rugby team fell 21-5 to host France on Saturday.

Lizzie Gibson of Caledon, Ont., scored the lone try for Canada, which trailed 7-5 at the half.

Canada’s women rank third in the world ahead of France, at fourth, by World Rugby. Emilie Boulard scored in each half for France, whose defence led by backrow Mouna Toure limited Canada’s output.

Asia Hogan-Rochester, who helped Canada to silver at the 2025 World Cup and sevens silver in the 2024 Olympic Games, was ruled out of the match after an unspecified injury suffered during training.

Veteran Sophie de Goede, who was named World Rugby Women’s fifteens player of the year in 2025, also didn’t play Saturday as coaches rested her ahead of two upcoming matches against England in Canada.

The Canadian women will host England on Oct. 16 in Toronto and Oct. 23 in Ottawa. Canada and England tied 26-26 on Sept. 19 in Exeter, England, in a rematch of the World Cup final.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2026.

The Canadian Press