Canada hold England to 26-26 draw to end Red Roses' 39-game winning streak

England’s four-year winning streak ended at 39 games on Saturday as Canada held the Red Roses to a 26-26 draw at Sandy Park in Exeter — a result made all the more striking given England beat the same opponents in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

New Zealand remain the only side to have defeated England in that span, beating the Red Roses in the 2022 Rugby World Cup final. Canada, however, have now denied them a 40th straight win in a contest that swung repeatedly before settling into stalemate.

The game began at a frantic pace. Canada struck first through Lizzie Gibson inside five minutes, only for Claudia Moloney-MacDonald to level for England shortly after. DaLeaka Menin put the visitors back in front in the 14th minute before Hannah Botterman forced her way over to draw England level again, with Zoe Harrison converting. Moloney-MacDonald’s second try gave the hosts their first lead of the afternoon, but Menin replied with her own second score just before half-time to send the teams in level.

England appeared to seize control early in the second half when Bryony Field, making her first start, scored from a rolling maul in the 53rd minute and Harrison’s conversion stretched the lead to seven points. But Canada refused to fold. Four minutes later, Olivia Apps finished off a sharp Canada attack and Sophie de Goede’s conversion made it 26-26 — a scoreline that would not change.

England pressed hard in the closing stages, camping themselves in Canada’s territory, but determined defensive work from the visitors held firm. The draw ends one of the longest winning runs in women’s international rugby and will prompt questions about England’s form ahead of future international competition.