TORONTO — Olivia Apps says Canada expect a landmark victory over England when the sides renew their rivalry at BMO Field on Friday, with belief surging after becoming the first team in nearly four years to avoid defeat against the Red Roses in last month's 26-26 draw at Sandy Park in Exeter.
Canada's starting scrum-half shared a smile with England trio Zoe Harrison, Jess Breach and Marlie Packer at Sandy Park — team-mates at Saracens in the PWR this season — and said familiarity has removed the mystique. "Playing at Saracens has really helped to take the mystique away from all these names that you see on a teamsheet," Apps told BBC Sport. "You know them as people and it takes away that uncertainty, [the] mysterious part." With the scores level and Canada in possession on their own 22m in the final play, Apps was stationed on the wing waiting for a pass that never came as full-back Claire Gallagher booted the ball into touch to secure the draw. "It was the right call, but when the message came on [from coach Kevin Rouet] I had to ask three times, because I thought there was no way," Apps said. "We just thought, obviously we were going to run the ball and try and score."
Rather than celebrate the result, Canada were disappointed not to have beaten rugby's most dominant team, and Apps believes that scoreboard equity has bred expectation ahead of two home Tests — in Toronto on Friday and again in Ottawa seven days later. The matches are Canada's first on home soil since a Rugby World Cup warm-up in August 2025, with more than 15,000 fans expected at BMO Field for the Rugby Rematch Tour, billed as a sequel to England's victory over Canada in the Rugby World Cup final a year ago. "Being a different squad from the World Cup allows us to have more of a belief in our ability to beat England," Apps said. "We've been together for five weeks, we have home advantage, mentally we feel really confident. There is definitely more of an expectation now. Overall, I think we'd be really, really disappointed in ourselves if we couldn't get a victory this weekend."
A victory would further fuel momentum for women's rugby in Canada, where the contrast with England's resources remains stark. While England benefit from top-class facilities, a deep player pool and central contracts, Canada launched a crowdfunding campaign before the last Rugby World Cup to cover training camps, before the federal government announced a new 755m Canadian dollars (£401m) funding package for sport in May. "I think our showing at the World Cup was like a big final push to get that from the government," Apps said. "We've yet to see what that it means specifically for rugby, but we've heard really positive things." A behind-the-scenes documentary on Canada's campaign, All Heart, has just been released, and Apps pointed to England's example in building profiles. "England has done a phenomenal job of that," she said. "The way they tell the story of their athletes and how their athletes get so much space and opportunity to showcase who they are and their brand, alongside rugby. It's amazing to see where female rugby athletes can go."
Apps initially signed with Saracens as short-term injury cover last October but has been in sensational form, helping the north London side to their first PWR title in four years and being named the top flight's player of the season, with a new three-year contract extension announced this week. Saracens invited Sue Schilling, chief executive of Alopecia UK — Apps was diagnosed with alopecia aged seven — to record a congratulatory message, emphasising her role as a role model. The security allows Apps to plan towards the Los Angeles Olympics, where Canada will defend the silver medals they won in Paris, and the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2029. Alongside compatriots including world player of the year Sophie de Goede, Alysha Corrigan and Julia Omokhuale at Saracens, she has found the highest level of club rugby despite struggling to source pumpkin puree and decent maple syrup in London. "There is such a strong pool of experience that it does just feel very stimulating and challenging," Apps said. "Saracens has an environment with a winning culture which really drives performance and competition. It's something which I really enjoy."