England’s record winning streak ended in a 26-26 draw with Canada in the WXV Global Series at Sandy Park in Exeter on 19 September, as the world champions were held for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand.
The Red Roses had won 39 consecutive matches since March 2023. That run included four successive Women’s Six Nations crowns, two WXV1 successes and a home World Cup triumph in 2025. The draw halted that sequence, though England extended their unbeaten run to 40 Tests.
For Canada, the world’s third-ranked side, the result was a major breakthrough. They recorded their first-ever draw against England and avoided defeat on English soil for the first time. England had won each of the previous 13 home meetings between the sides.
The rematch of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, which England won 33-13, delivered the attacking contest that the occasion demanded. Eight tries were shared evenly, the teams were level at 19-19 at half-time, and the match remained alive until the final play with the clock in the red.
Canada struck first through Gibson at 6 minutes, before England winger Moloney-MacDonald crossed at 10 minutes. Canada prop DaLeaka Menin scored at 15 minutes, and England prop Botterman replied at 22 minutes.
Moloney-MacDonald claimed her second try at 33 minutes. Menin then completed her own double at 40 minutes, bringing Canada level at 19-19 before half-time.
England hooker Bryony Field scored a converted try from a maul at 54 minutes, yet Canada again found a way back. Lock Sophie de Goede made the break that created the chance for scrum-half Olivia Apps, who finished at 58 minutes to tie the score at 26-26.
The 14,573 crowd at the sold-out Sandy Park watched both sides press through the closing stages, without a score that could separate them. England captain Megan Jones said: “It was amazing test match rugby, which is what we want. We want a battle”.
England’s winning run had become a defining part of their recent rise under John Mitchell, and Canada’s result showed the gap between the two sides had narrowed in this contest. England remain reigning world champions, while Canada leave Exeter with a result they had never previously managed against the Red Roses.
England now host New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, 26 September. New Zealand arrive after defeating Scotland 66-14 with 10 tries in Edinburgh.
The England and Canada rivalry will resume with two Tests in Canada in October, in Toronto on 16 October and Ottawa on 23 October. For now, England’s unbeaten record survives, while their long winning sequence has finally been stopped.
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