Exeter gets ready to welcome back the Red Roses to Sandy Park

Published: 22 September 2023

Thousands of rugby fans are ready to welcome back England’s Red Roses for the return of international rugby to Sandy Park this weekend.

Only a handful of tickets still remain as the Red Roses host Canada Women in the first of a two-Test series on Saturday 23 September.

The series opener kicks off at Sandy Park at 2.30pm and will be followed by a return clash on Saturday, 30 September at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium.

It 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.

It’s also the Red Roses’ first matches since their successful Grand Slam Six Nations campaign, before they travel to New Zealand to compete in the WXV tournament in October.

The Canadian team started preparations for the game at Sandy Park when they arrived in Exeter earlier this week. They team have stayed in the city centre and used facilities at St Sidwell’s Point leisure centre ahead of the match.

Charlie Hayter, RFU head of women’s performance rugby, said: “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.”

A few remaining tickets are still available to purchase by heading to the Exeter Chiefs Ticket Hub on the Exeter Chiefs website.