England’s Red Roses have witnessed the end of their extraordinary winning streak, drawing 26-26 with Canada in the WXV tournament. This result interrupts their 39-match victory run and delivers a reality check ahead of their upcoming fixtures. Nevertheless, England maintains an unbeaten record in 40 Tests, though this match marks their first non-victory since 2022.
Canada’s performance was a testament to their resilience, as they remained a formidable challenge throughout the closely contested game. England’s Claudia MacDonald contributed two tries, with Hannah Botterman and Bryony Field also adding to the score. However, Canada’s Lizzie Gibson and DaLeaka Menin, the latter scoring twice, continually tested England’s defense, ensuring the teams were level at half-time with a scoreline of 19-19.
After the break, England briefly regained the lead through Field’s try, but Canada’s relentless offensive pressure ultimately secured the draw. The Red Roses found their wide play stifled by Canada’s effective strategy, which successfully minimized the impact of England’s Ellie Kildunne. The physicality and breakdown strategy from the Canadian side further highlighted their capability to compete with the world’s elite teams.
This outcome not only ends England’s perfect home record against Canada but also serves as a crucial assessment for the reigning world champions. For Canada, who were World Cup finalists last year, the draw signifies their continuing evolution and competitiveness on the global stage.
As England prepares for future WXV matches, they face the task of refining their strategies to reclaim their winning ways. Meanwhile, Canada will draw confidence from this result, proving they are a force to be reckoned with in women’s rugby.
