Tuttosi on World Cup and progress of women's game

Emily Tuttosi has played for Exeter since the club was formed in 2020

Exeter Chiefs' Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi said she struggles to believe how far the women's game has come after playing in the World Cup final.

The 30-year-old started Canada's 33-13 loss to England at Twickenham in September in front of a world record crowd of 81,885.

She played in all six of Canada's games at the World Cup, starting five games and scoring two tries in a pool game against Scotland at Exeter's Sandy Park.

"I actually played at Twickenham for Canada on my very first Canadian tour and we lost like probably by 80-something points and there was maybe a few hundred people in the stands because it was after a men's game and they realised it was on," she told BBC Radio Devon.

"So to have the experience of going to a sold-out Twickenham and walking in with there being so many eyes and so much energy, and singing the anthem in front of a packed stadium that was there solely for women's rugby... That is something that will stick with me until the day I die.

"It was absolutely sensational to see that and that's only eight years' difference.

"That's the type of crowds women's rugby is drawing in, that's the type of competition energy, sponsors, advertising even. It does really give some value to the graft that all of the athletes are putting in."

Emily Tuttosi has helped Exeter reach the play-offs three times

Tuttosi says she is proud of helping Canada get to the final of the World Cup although she does still have regrets that they could not take the final step and cause an upset against the Red Roses in the final.

But in the aftermath of the game, which was seen by a record television audience in the UK and by millions more across the world, she has had the chance to reflect on the impact it has had.

"It was tough because right away I got so many messages and saw so many posts about how proud we should be and the impact that we had in Canada.

"I guess that's tough when you're not living there. Maybe you don't immediately see it but the influx of messages was super special and just opened up that heartache of being like, 'Sorry we didn't do it, we didn't bring it home for you'.

"But it is exciting to hear that and to see the young boys and girls that are picking up rugby balls or that were watching the finals.

"There were so many watch parties we saw videos of and all of that stuff is really special and I hope that it can be carried forward.

"Canada's rugby culture has to be different because of our seasons and our geography but it doesn't mean it's not special in its own way and I hope we can continue to have an impact on it."

'People keep showing up in Devon and Cornwall'

Emily Tuttosi scored two tries for Canada in their win over Scotland at Sandy Park at the World Cup

Tuttosi's other memorable moment came in the pool stages when she was named player of the match after scoring twice in the 40-19 win over Scotland.

She says it is the closest she will probably come to scoring a World Cup try on home turf, adding she was blown away by the support from those who also watch her play for the Chiefs in PWR.

"When I came out and saw a full Sandy Park... It does feel special because people keep showing up for us in Devon and Cornwall," she said.

"It was really special to see the full stadium and to score a couple of tries. It was actually funny - after the first one my team-mate helped me up and I said, 'What the heck was that?' because I never scored tries like that.

"So to get MVP on my home pitch that I've obviously spent a lot of time at these last five years was really special.

"I coach in the community and a lot of the athletes that I coach were at the game which just kind of feels like a fun full-circle moment - I'm at their games, they're at mine and showing support whatever level it is because rugby is fun at any level."