On a day packed with rugby drama and dazzling individual displays, Canada’s Julia Schell stole the headlines with a record-chasing six-try performance as her side trounced Fiji 65-7 in their opening Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B clash at York Community Stadium. The match, played on August 23, 2025, marked a thunderous start to the tournament, with Canada—ranked second in the world—sending a clear message to rivals through both team dominance and individual brilliance.
Schell’s six tries, all scored in a remarkable burst during the second half, tied her for the second most ever in a Women’s Rugby World Cup match. Only New Zealand’s Portia Woodman, with eight tries against Hong Kong in 2017, has ever done better. For Schell, who had entered the match with just three tries in 25 or 26 previous appearances for Canada (depending on the source), the feat was nothing short of a revelation. “A guy over there told me he would give me $200 if I scored, so I need to go and speak to him,” Schell joked, reflecting on her unlikely inspiration from a spectator. She added, “I think as a team we didn’t start as we wanted to, but we had some calm chats at half-time and ramped it up.”
The game’s opening stages saw Canada assert themselves early. Lock Sophie de Goede, recently returned from an ACL tear, powered over for the first try, followed by a finish from hooker Gillian Boag. Even when flyhalf Taylor Perry was sin-binned for head contact, flanker Caroline Crossley found a way through the Fijian defense and soon after set up wing Alysha Corrigan for Canada’s fourth try. By halftime, the Canadians were cruising at 24-0, but Fiji gave their supporters a brief moment to cheer early in the second half: an end-to-end move finished by replacement back Kolora Lomani, following a sweeping break from Josifini Neihamu and support from captain Alfreda Fisher.
Yet, the rest of the match belonged to Schell. Canada coach Kevin Rouet’s halftime challenge—“Kevin told me to win my 1-v(ersus)-1 at halftime, so I like to prove him wrong,” Schell recounted—seemed to light a fire under the fullback. Quick hands and sharp footwork saw her break the line repeatedly, stepping defenders, backing up teammates, and even latching onto a crossfield kick for her sixth try. Her scoring spree, achieved in just 22 to 23 minutes, not only electrified the crowd but also set a new Canadian record for tries in a World Cup match, surpassing the previous mark of five.
The Fijians’ woes were compounded late in the game when replacement prop Bulou Vasutaraga received a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle, which was later upgraded to a 20-minute red—the second such card of the tournament. Despite flashes of attacking flair, Fiji simply couldn’t match Canada’s relentless pace and clinical finishing, especially as the North Americans remained unbeaten in eight tests so far this year.
Canada’s emphatic win wasn’t the only lopsided result on a day that saw several teams make strong opening statements. In Salford, Australia overwhelmed Samoa 73-0, recording their biggest margin of victory at a Women’s Rugby World Cup. The Wallaroos raced to seven first-half tries, with winger Desiree Miller bagging a hat-trick before leaving the field for a head injury assessment following a collision. Eighteen-year-old fullback Caitlyn Halse and replacement Adiana Talakai each crossed twice, while debutant hooker Katalina Amosa opened the scoring just 92 seconds in. Samoa, returning to World Cup play after an 11-year absence, showed heart but couldn’t withstand Australia’s ruthless efficiency.
Meanwhile, Scotland secured a landmark 38-8 win over Wales in Manchester in their own Pool B encounter. Winger Francesca McGhie provided a quick-fire start, scoring after just 35 (or 54) seconds and going on to complete a hat-trick. “When you put Fran McGhie in space, what a finisher,” said Scotland coach Bryan Easson, full of praise for his star winger. “One on one, I don’t think there’s anybody better in the world. She’s a world-class finisher without a doubt.” Scotland’s victory, their largest ever over Wales, avenged a painful late defeat at the 2022 World Cup and put them in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Captain Rachel Malcolm summed up the team’s mindset: “For the last few years I’ve had the image of Keira Bevan kicking that late kick against us at the (2022) World Cup and we just did not want to see anything like that happening again.”
Elsewhere, France opened their Pool D campaign with a 24-0 shutout of Italy at Sandy Park in Exeter. It took Les Bleues 27 minutes to break the deadlock through winger Joanna Grisez, and the French pack took charge in the second half with tries from Assia Khalfaoui and Charlotte Escudero. Morgane Bourgeois added a penalty and converted all three tries, ensuring a comfortable start for France. “We know we still have more to give,” said France’s co-coach David Ortiz, suggesting the team can build further as the tournament progresses. Italy, buoyed by recent warmup wins over Japan and Scotland, showed defensive resolve but couldn’t find a way through the French defense.
The opening days of the Women’s Rugby World Cup have already delivered high-scoring encounters, breakout performances, and a few hints at which teams may challenge for the title. With England having opened the tournament with a big win over the U.S., and with Australia, Canada, Scotland, and France all notching up statement victories, the stage is set for an unpredictable and thrilling competition.
For Canada, all eyes will now be on how they build on this momentum. Julia Schell’s historic day has not only lifted her team but has also put the rest of the rugby world on notice. As the tournament unfolds, fans and rivals alike will be watching to see if Schell and her teammates can maintain their blistering form and ride this wave deep into the knockout rounds.