Red Roses' 39-game winning streak ended in thrilling Canada draw

Last Updated: 19/09/26 9:48pm

Red Roses saw their 39-Test winning streak end in a draw with Canada

Canada took their first step towards avenging their Rugby World Cup final defeat to England by ending the Red Roses' 39-Test winning streak in a gripping 26-26 draw in Exeter.

Eight days short of the one-year anniversary of England's 33-13 triumph at Twickenham, the sides treated a sold-out Sandy Park to an absorbing WXV Global Series clash featuring eight tries that went down to the final play with the clock in the red.

First-half doubles from England wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Canada prop Daleaka Menin, plus scores from Hannah Botterman and Lizzie Gibson, saw the sides locked at 19-19 at the break after a six-try opening half.

Bryony Field's second Test try looked to have laid the foundations for a trademark second-half surge from the Red Roses, but Canada refused to roll over, striking back through scrum-half Olivia Apps.

England laid siege to the Canada line but could not find a decisive breakthrough as the Canucks kicked the final play dead to avoid defeat against the Red Roses on English soil for the first time.

The Red Roses will hope to return to winning ways when they host New Zealand - the last team to beat them in the 2022 World Cup final - at Allianz Stadium next Saturday before travelling to Tests in Toronto and Ottawa against Canada, who face France next week.

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald touches down

Canada led after five minutes when Lizzie Gibson went over but Sophie de Goede missed the conversion.

England responded five minutes later through a well-worked Moloney-MacDonald try, but Zoe Harrison could also not add the extras.

A pulsating start continued when Menin put Canada back in front in the 14th minute - De Goede making the conversion this time - only for Botterman to force her way over the line shortly after, with Harrison slotting over to level the game once again.

Moloney-MacDonald's second try of the half gave the hosts their first lead but Menin responded with her second just before the break.

Field, on her first start, scored from a rolling maul in the 53rd minute and Harrison gave England a seven-point cushion, but just four minutes later Apps finished off a fine Canada attack and De Goede made it 26-26.

England were camped in Canada's territory in the closing stages but could not find a winning score to keep their run going.

England head coach John Mitchell:

"We are in a Test series, which is really good for us.

"We need to get better, and there is a greater purpose than this one Test match.

"This is ideal for us and allows us to stay focused."

Player of the match Daleaka Menin:

"It was a big challenge, I am a little tired. We didn't get exactly what we wanted but it was a great game of rugby.

"We have two more against them so we will see what happens. This week we were really trying to push ourselves.

"We really wanted to prove something here. This is just the start of this journey."

England captain Meg Jones:

"It was amazing Test match rugby. That is what we want, it was a battle.

"Our discipline let us down, we didn't get in the right areas, and execute.

"We have got two more shots [at Canada]. We are just looking to grow each time we play because the game gives you the best feedback.

"We will go again next week."

Scotland suffered a heavy 66-14 defeat to a dominant New Zealand at Hive Stadium.

The Black Ferns, ranked number two in the world, scored 10 tries.

There were tries from Mo'omo'oga Palu, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Justine McGregor, Elinor-Plum King, two from Layla Sae, Amy du Plessis, Amarante Sititi, Tara Turner and Alena Saili.

Next for Scotland is Australia at Hive Stadium next Saturday, with New Zealand facing England on the same day.