Red Roses returning to Sandy Park

By Mark Stevens
12/7/23

International rugby is returning to Sandy Park again this season after the Rugby Football Union today announced that the Red Roses will host Canada Women in a two-Test series this September.

The series opener will be played at Sandy Park on Saturday, 23 September (KO 14:30), before the second match, which will take place on Saturday, 30 September at a venue and time to be confirmed, concludes the series.

Tickets for the first fixture in the series are now available on O2 Priority before going general sale on Friday, 14 July where they can be purchased on the Exeter Chiefs website.

The two-Test series will be the first time the two sides have faced off since the Red Roses won a brilliant Rugby World Cup 2021 semi-final over Canada 26-19 at Eden Park, when England made history by winning a record 30 consecutive tests.

The matches will also be the Red Roses’ first since their successful Grand Slam Six Nations campaign, before they travel to New Zealand shortly thereafter to compete in the WXV tournament launching in October.

England forwards coach, Louis Deacon said: “We are delighted to be facing one of the world’s best teams on home turf. Canada is a powerful team and present a fantastic challenge as we look to build on the success of our Six Nations campaign and continue improving as a squad. The two-Test series is the perfect preparation as we build up to the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand.”

Charlie Hayter, RFU head of women’s performance rugby, added: “Exeter has been a fantastic host venue for the Red Roses on a number of occasions and we are excited to be heading back to Sandy Park. The club and its supporters are passionate fans of the women’s game and embraced the team each time we play there.”