# Why England’s defeats cannot be blamed on the PWR having too many Canadian players

> England’s PWR losses stem from tactical flaws, not Canadian player numbers.
- Title: Why England’s defeats cannot be blamed on the PWR having too…
- Summary: England’s PWR losses stem from tactical flaws, not Canadian player numbers. England’s recent Test defeats to Canada cannot be blamed on Canadian players in…
- Keywords: england women, canada, pwr, premiership women's rugby, saracens, sophie de goede, john mitchell, world cup, wxv, red roses, loughborough lightning, rfu
- Source: The Rugby Paper — https://therugbypaper.co.uk/all/world/womens-international/496325/why-englands-defeats-cannot-be-blamed-on-the-pwr-having-too-many-canadian-players
- Author: The Rugby Paper Team
- Published: 2026-10-29T17:18:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: england women, canada, pwr, premiership women's rugby, saracens, sophie de goede, john mitchell, world cup, wxv, red roses, loughborough lightning, rfu
## England’s recent Test losses
England suffered two consecutive Test defeats to Canada, with losses in Toronto and Ottawa and a draw in Exeter.
## Coach’s focus on Canadian players
Head coach John Mitchell highlighted Canada’s significant presence in the PWR as a factor in England’s recent losses.
## Canada’s PWR influence
Saracens count Sophie de Goede, Liv Apps, and Julia Omokhuale as key players, with coaches from Canada also working with PWR clubs.
## Player numbers in PWR
Of Canada’s 36 player squad, 14 played for PWR clubs in the 2025-26 campaign.
## England’s tactical failings
England reverted to their traditional gameplan against Canada, failing to adapt when Canada reduced their advantage in pack and set-piece play.
## Squad depth concerns
England’s coaching team has not built sufficient depth, with key players underutilized and replacements lacking battle readiness.
## Pathway teams underperform
England’s U21s lost to Ireland and were beaten by France, indicating pathway teams lack dominance over international competition.
## Central contracts debate
The RFU has 32 centrally contracted players plus six on transition contracts, but this is insufficient for World Cup cycle demands.
## Full-time player advantage
Most non-contracted players train evenings and lack match fees, making full-time contracted players financially advantageous for clubs.
## Why PWR needs overseas talent
The PWR requires world-class players to stay the best league, with Canadian talent enhancing quality despite competition concerns.
## The real issue for England
England’s tactical rigidity and squad depth issues, not Canadian player numbers, explain their recent Test defeats.
## What happens next
England must address tactical flaws and build squad depth to compete effectively in upcoming World Cup cycles.
## Key takeaway

England’s recent Test defeats to Canada cannot be blamed on Canadian players in the PWR; tactical issues and squad depth concerns are the real causes.