Just over a month after the Women's Rugby World Cup final, Canada captain Sophie de Goede is back playing for England's Saracens as coach Kevin Rouhe plans for the future.
But both have yet to put behind them a 33-13 defeat to the English Red Roses in the championship game.
“I certainly don't think I've dealt with it, especially being here in England,” said de Goede, who plays her club rugby for Saracens. “There are a lot of reminders.”
“I think it's a mixture of two emotions, two really strong emotions that I still feel,” she added. “It’s a huge disappointment and you’re devastated because not only did we lose, but we didn’t play the way we wanted to.
“Also proud of the tournament and by all accounts the way rugby has picked up momentum at home throughout this tournament… And also the way our team has pulled together domestically.”
Ruhe also deals with reminders of the finale.
“It's interesting because from the outside people say, 'Oh, England found a way to protect you.' And I still don’t think so… I don’t believe England was that great,” he said.
Instead, Ruhe sees soft penalties and poor set-pieces hampering his team.
“I’m still processing the information,” he concluded.
The tournament concluded with de Goede being named the World's Women's Rugby Player of the Year and receiving the trophy at the final whistle at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
“I would of course trade it for the World Cup trophy, but to win it is a special award,” she said. “It's great. It's a weird time, but it's cool.”
Special because the 26-year-old from Victoria only returned to action in July after a lengthy absence following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
De Goede, hooker Emily Tuttosi and scrum-half Justine Pelletier were named in the Women's U15 Rugby Team of the Year, along with seven players from England, four from New Zealand and one from France.
Ruhe missed out on the Coach of the Year award, which went to Briton John Mitchell. Not everyone agreed with the decision, despite England's 33-game winning streak.
“Even the prime minister told me I should have been coach of the year,” said a smiling Ruhe, who faced Mark Carney in the final.
After the tournament, De Goede spent a week relaxing in Portugal with teammates Paige Farris, Claire Gallagher and DaLeaka Menin. She then returned to London to sort out her living arrangements ahead of the start of the PWR season on 24 October.
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, watching the Canadians play in England and France.
There's a lot to see. He estimates there will be about 25 Canadians playing matches in the English league this season.
Defeat in the final left unfinished business for the second-place Canadians, meaning some put retirement plans on hold.
“Some of them are like, 'I don't know yet.' And they need more than two, three weeks or one month to make a final decision about their life choices,” Ruhe said.
Ruhe says 38-year-old Karen Paquin, a veteran of four world championships, can continue playing. Others may 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 reaching the semi-finals of this year's tournament.
In the meantime, big games await us.
The WXV tournament is now known as the WXV Global Series, with the world's top 12 teams competing in an international window from September to October. Although the schedule has not yet been released, the Canadian women can look forward to top-level action and possibly a rematch with England.
“It's fun to play here in this league because you get to know the English players quite well. You get to know them as people and they're good people,” De Guede said. “But it also adds fuel to the fire and to the rivalry, not to mention the World Cup final.
“When we get to play England it's always very exciting. And this year it's more than ever.”
Canada hasn't beaten the Red Roses since July 2016, losing the last 14 meetings.
The Canadian women will compete in the Pacific Four Series in April against No. 3 New Zealand, No. 7 Australia and No. 8 USA.
Rugby Canada announced in June that Ruhe's contract had been extended until the end of 2027. He took over the team in March 2022 as an assistant coach.
He's 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.
