Canada Halts England's Historic 39-Match Winning Streak in Thrilling WXV Global Series Draw

The most dominant streak in international rugby is over, but the unbeaten run survives by the skin of its teeth. In a gripping, breathless encounter at Sandy Park in Exeter, Canada went toe-to-toe with England's Red Roses, securing a 26-26 draw that halts the hosts' historic 39-match winning streak.[1][4]

The result marks the first time since the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand that England has failed to win a test match. For a team that has turned international fixtures into predictable processions over the last three years, the stalemate serves as a jarring reality check and a massive injection of jeopardy into the newly revamped WXV Global Series.[1][4]

For Canada, the performance was a massive statement of intent. The visitors arrived in Devon looking to avenge their defeat to England in the 2025 World Cup final, and they matched the Red Roses' physicality and flair from the opening whistle. Avoiding defeat on English soil for the first time in their history proves the global gap is rapidly closing.[1][3]

The match itself was a pulsating, back-and-forth affair played under overcast skies. The teams traded blows throughout a breathless first half, heading into the locker rooms deadlocked at 19-19 after scoring three tries apiece.[1][4]

England winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald was electric in the opening 40 minutes, crossing the whitewash twice to give the hosts crucial momentum. However, Canada's pack answered the call, with tighthead prop DaLeaka Menin matching Moloney-MacDonald with a first-half brace of her own to keep the visitors firmly in the contest.[1][4]

The intensity only heightened after the break as defenses tightened and the game devolved into a brutal arm-wrestle. England appeared to seize control in the 53rd minute when hooker Bryony Field, making her first international start, crashed over from a trademark rolling maul. Zoe Harrison's conversion gave the Red Roses a 26-19 cushion.[1][4]

But the Canadians refused to yield. Just four minutes later, inspirational lock and captain Sophie de Goede broke the line with a galloping 20-meter run, offloading to scrum-half Olivia Apps who finished the sweeping move to tie the game once more.[1][4]

The final quarter was a tense, scoreless siege. England camped on the Canadian tryline in the closing minutes, loading and reloading under penalty advantage. Yet the Canadian defense held firm, eventually securing a crucial ruck turnover to kick the ball dead and seal the draw.[1][3]

"It was amazing test match rugby, which is what we want. We want a battle," England captain Megan Jones told broadcasters after the final whistle, acknowledging the fierce challenge posed by the visitors.[4]

England head coach John Mitchell echoed the sentiment, focusing on the team's inability to capitalize on late territory. "We were certainly in a ding-dong, weren't we?" Mitchell said. "I thought we owned a lot of the second half. We were applying huge pressure, but we just didn't convert. Greater things will come as a result of this."[1]

The draw sets up a mouth-watering autumn of fixtures. England now turns their attention to a blockbuster clash with New Zealand's Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham next Saturday. The Black Ferns laid down a marker of their own this weekend, routing Scotland 66-14 in Edinburgh with a 10-try performance.[4][5]

Meanwhile, Canada returns home with soaring confidence. They will host England for two further WXV Global Series matches in Toronto on October 16 and Ottawa on October 23. Across the rest of the tournament's opening weekend, France overcame early indiscipline to edge Australia 29-26, while Wales and Italy secured dominant wins, ensuring the new home-and-away touring format is already delivering on its promise of highly competitive global rugby.[3][4]