England 26-26 Canada: Red Roses’ 39-game winning run ends with thrilling draw

WXV Global Series

England (19) 26

Tries: Moloney-MacDonald 2, Botterman, Field Cons: Harrison 3

Canada (19) 26

Tries: Gibson, Menin 2 Cons: De Goede 3

England’s remarkable 39-match winning run came to an end as they were held to a nail-biting 26-26 draw by Canada at Sandy Park.

The Red Roses were unable to escape the clutches of a relentless Canada, who they beat in last year’s World Cup final, with the two sides sharing four tries apiece in front of a raucous 14,573 crowd in Exeter.

Canada are the first team to avoid defeat against England since New Zealand beat them in the 2022 World Cup final, but John Mitchell’s side are now unbeaten in 40 Tests.

The draw also ended England’s 100% home record against Canada, having won each of their previous 13 meetings.

In a pulsating opening 25 minutes, England were twice required to come from behind, with tries from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Hannah Botterman cancelling out scores by Lizzie Gibson and DaLeaka Menin for Canada.

Exeter winger Moloney-MacDonald had a try disallowed before giving England the lead for the first time in the 32nd minute, getting on the end of a surging run from Sadia Kabeya for her second of the match.

However, Canada – who had earlier had a brilliant solo effort from Asia Hogan-Rochester chalked off for a forward pass – hit back on the stroke of half-time when Menin crashed over from close range.

England weathered 10 minutes of sustained pressure at the beginning of the second half before the two sides exchanged tries again, prop Bryony Field restoring the lead for the hosts before Canada scrum-half Olivia Apps scored under the posts after a dancing run from Sophie de Goede down the left wing.

England looked the most likely to steal the win in a chaotic final 10 minutes, including being held up over the line, but were left to a rue a turnover in front of the posts and a loose carry as Canada battled through for the draw.