Growing popularity in Canadian women's rugby could culminate in a deep run at World Cup

Canadians are known to be polite and generally kind — but what if I told you a talented team of Canadian women are heading to the United Kingdom to shove, tackle and straight-arm anyone in their path?

Yes, folks! Canada's women's senior rugby team is about to embark on a campaign at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

On Saturday, at York Community Stadium in  the No. 2-ranked Canadians take on Fiji, ranked 14th in the world, for Pool B play. Canada will then play Scotland and Wales respectively.

Canada's rugby sevens delighted the world when they clinched the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year but the team has been steadily growing and fortifying its talent.

I asked Canadian national team member Olivia Apps about the country's momentum for women's sports right now — and rugby in particular.

"It does feel like we're at, like, the middle of something that's about to really explode," she told me after the match.

"And 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 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."

Like many women athletes, the rugby community advocates for themselves and are a committed group. A fundraising campaign to help curb the cost of their World Cup. Although ranked high globally, rugby is not a professional sport for women in Canada. Women advocate and elevate the sport, helping to encourage participation and pride.

One of the biggest global stars of the sport at the moment is Ilona Maher, the most followed rugby player on earth.

"I think this World Cup will be a time to show it"