England’s stunning 39-match winning streak is over after they were held to a 26-26 draw by Canada in a rematch of last year’s Rugby World Cup final.
The Red Roses had won every game they had played since a defeat in the 2022 World Cup final and still extended their unbeaten streak to 40 matches, but were unable to deliver the killer blow in an entertaining clash at Sandy Park – their first meeting with Canada since beating them in the 2025 showpiece.
For Canada it was a first draw against the Red Roses on English soil, a confidence boost ahead of the next two Tests at home.
England captain Meg Jones said afterwards: “It was amazing Test-match rugby, which is what we want. We want a battle and for it to be competitive.
“We have another two shots at them and get to go again next week.
“Our last pass and discipline let us down. We always look to get better.”
The two sides faced off in the first of three autumn meetings, with John Mitchell’s side also heading to Toronto and Ottawa next month.
Just shy of a year on from the Red Roses’ 33-13 victory at Twickenham this was a much closer affair, with the two sides scoring four tries apiece in a gripping clash.
England came from behind twice in the first 25 minutes, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Hannah Botterman replying to Lizzie Gibson and player of the match DaLeaka Menin.
Moloney-MacDonald scored a second to put the Red Roses in front for the first time, having had another disallowed, but Menin cancelled that out shortly before half-time, with the score 19-19.
The two sides were equally hard to separate after the restart, with Bryony Field putting England back in front before Olivia Apps scored under the posts, and despite a wave of pressure from the hosts in the closing stages Canada clung on to end their winning streak.
Menin said: “It was a big challenge, I am a little tired. We didn’t get exactly what we wanted but it was a great game of rugby.
“We really wanted to prove something here. This is just the start of this journey.”
Mitchell’s side are back in action against New Zealand at Twickenham next week.
