England’s Red Roses have seen their historic winning streak come to a halt, drawing 26-26 against Canada in the Women’s XV Series (WXV). This result breaks a run of 39 consecutive victories and serves as a stark reminder of the competitive edge that teams like Canada bring to the international rugby scene.
While England remains unbeaten in 40 matches, the draw signifies the first non-win result since 2022, underscoring the resilience and tenacity of Canada’s squad. The game saw strong performances from both sides, with England’s Claudia MacDonald scoring two tries and additional contributions from Hannah Botterman and Bryony Field. Canada countered with tries from Lizzie Gibson and two from DaLeaka Menin, who consistently breached England’s defenses.
The first half concluded with a 19-19 tie, and although England took the lead post-break through Field’s efforts, Canada’s persistent attacks ensured the scoreline remained deadlocked by the final whistle. This outcome not only ends England’s perfect home record against Canada but also highlights the formidable challenge posed by the Canadian team, who reached last year’s World Cup final.
Canada’s strategic play effectively limited England’s typical wide attacks, particularly curtailing the impact of Ellie Kildunne. Their prowess at the breakdown and physicality in close encounters tested England’s defense repeatedly, showcasing their capacity to compete against the top-tier teams in women’s rugby.
Looking ahead, England will be keen to refine their strategy as they prepare for upcoming WXV fixtures. Meanwhile, Canada’s ability to halt England’s triumphal march will undoubtedly bolster their confidence as they continue to demonstrate their strength on the international stage.