Despite falling to England in the final of the World Cup of Rugby, the Canadian Women’s Rugby team doesn’t have any reason to hang their heads. Not only did they capture their second ever silver in the tournament’s history, but they also won the hearts of Canadians, who rallied behind the team as they capped off a historic run. 

En route to a showdown with the English squad, Canada took down the sport’s most formidable juggernaut, the New Zealand Black Ferns, in the semis, and spoiled the Kiwi’s bid for a third consecutive crown. 

Women’s team’s rise to World No. 2

2024 marked a year unlike any other for the Women’s Rugby team. With head coach Kevin Rouet at the helm, Canada attained significant achievements. The squad kicked off the 2024 rugby season with their first-ever win against New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series, finishing the tournament with an immaculate slate after downing USA and Australia earlier in the same tournament. 

Canada climbed to second in the World Women’s Rugby rankings in May 2024 after handing France a 46–24 beatdown in the WXV World Series. With the team’s ascension to the World No. 2 rank, Canada built on a burgeoning momentum entering 2025, a crucial World Cup year. They have maintained this ranking to this day.

Rugby’s surge in popularity at home

Although not at the same level as hockey, basketball, or soccer in terms of recognition and relevance in the Canadian landscape, particularly for Women’s Sports, Rugby has grown tremendously with the success of its team, signalling that the sport is on the verge of becoming a phenomenon.

This popularity was on full display as the world celebrated with Canada after its rugby sevens team landed a historic second-place finish at the 2024 Olympics last year. The 15’s team on the other hand packed TD Place in August, setting record numbers in attendance playing in their last tune-up game against the US in Ottawa before the 2025 World Cup.

When asked about Canada’s takeover in women’s sports in an interview with CBC, national team member Olivia Apps replied, “It does feel like we’re at, like, the middle of something that’s about to really explode.” She added, “I hope this Rugby World Cup does that for women’s rugby, particularly, but for women’s sport generally. But I’m hoping it’s [not just] momentary… We have the [Los Angeles (LA)] Olympics, which is basically at home for Canada. It’s not too far away. And there’s just a lot of excitement within the sport right now in Canada.”

Notable rugby players on the Varsity Blues

U of T also boasts a notable connection to the Women’s National Rugby Team. Marlene Donaldson, a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (BPHE) alumna of the 2001 graduating class, etched herself in the institution’s history as an inductee of the Varsity Blues Hall of Fame for playing Rugby. She is also a former member of the Canadian National Team. Her passion for the sport drove her to unforeseen success both on and off the field. 

Donaldson attributed her interest in the sport to her classmate, Stacie Dalrymple, who suggested that she should try Rugby after her plan of joining the basketball team didn’t pan out. She remarked in a 2022 interview with the U of T Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, “It wasn’t until my second year, though, when I decided to see what it was all about. Then, as soon as I got out there, I knew this was what I should be doing. [Rugby] fits me like a glove.”

She held plenty of accolades while donning the navy blue and white from 1996–2000. Donaldson was the first U of T student to garner Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) all-Canadian honours in 1998, while being named twice as an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) all-star, serving as captain for four years. 

She remained humble despite her success, but appreciated recognition over it, saying, “It was great to accomplish those things, and no matter how humble you are, it feels great anytime you’re acknowledged and recognized amongst your peers.” 

The pinnacle of her career came when she played for the 2010 World Cup, where she helped Canada place sixth in the said tournament. Having moved past her playing days, Donaldson teaches at Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan, BC, as the senior school athletic director. Her goal is to give back to the sport that shaped her into what she is today: “If I can instill any of the positive things that have happened to me over my career, then I want to make sure I give that to other people.”