England’s 39-match win streak halted by thrilling draw with Canada
England's 39-match win streak halted by thrilling draw with Canada. England's 39-match win streak halted by thrilling draw with CanadaThis content is not available in your location.
What happened
England's winning record – stretching back to a loss in the 2022 World Cup final to New Zealand – was halted by Canada, who held the hosts to a thrilling 26-26 draw in the WXV Global Series. MATCH REPORT: Canada end England's winning run in frenetic drawAvailable to UK users only. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Prior to Saturday's game, England had won every match they had played since their 2022 World Cup final loss to New ZealandByElizabeth BotcherbyBBC Sport journalist at Sandy Park, ExeterPublished19 September 2026, 17:05 BSTUpdated 9 minutes agoWXV Global SeriesEngland (19) 26Tries: Moloney-MacDonald 2, Botterman, Field Cons: Harrison 3Canada (19) 26Tries: Gibson, Menin 2 Cons: De Goede 3England'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 draw also ended England's 100% home record against Canada, having won each of their previous 13 home meetings. England looked the most likely to 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. 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.
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.
The wider picture
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. 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.
There was an ominous feeling when Moloney-MacDonald put the hosts in front, but Canada seized their opportunity, capitalising on back-to-back penalties in England's 22 to level. As impressive as Canada were in defence, England were also left to rue a lack of clinical touch in Canada's 22 and opted against kicking for three points when awarded a penalty in the closing stages. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Luke Littler is the back-to-back world championByAlastair TelferBBC Sport journalistPublished18 September 2026World number one Luke Littler survived a first-round scare to overcome Danny Noppert in a thrilling World Series of Darts Finals match in Amsterdam.
There was an errorEngland's impressive T20 form continues as they thrash Sri Lanka by six wickets in Cardiff to seal the series with a match to spare. MATCH REPORT: England crush Sri Lanka to seal T20 series winAvailable to UK users only. SubsectionEnglandPublished15 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated topicsRugby UnionFollow Rugby Unionclose panelYou are now following Rugby UnionUpdates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage.
What has been reported
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. 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. The two sides will resume their rivalry with two Tests in Canada in October.
Before then, England face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, 26 September. 'We are really in a Test series, which is great for us'England's run of 39 consecutive wins, which started in March 2023, encompassed four successive Women's Six Nations crowns, two WXV1 successes and a home World Cup triumph in 2025. It is not that England have not been tested in that time. France have often been a thorn in their side in Six Nations deciders too, while Canada ran them close in a WXV meeting in 2024.
The challenge for opponents has been sustaining that pressure for a full 80-minute performance, and Canada did not let up. On the back foot as England – energised by their replacements – pressed for the win, they responded twice more, first cancelling out Field's try and then doggedly defending in their own half for much of the final 20 minutes.
What happens next
"Canada were good and we were also good," he said. Canada need to be congratulated on their performance. "For us, it's about getting better and there is a greater purpose than just one Test match. "Line-upsEngland: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Botterman, Field, Muir, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Kabeya, Matthews. Canada: Gallagher; Hogan-Rochester, Symonds, Tessier, Williams; Perry, Apps; Nelson, Idowu, Menin, De Goede (capt), Royer, Smith, Omokhuale, Gibson. Having levelled the match at 3-3, Littler turned to the crowd and tapped his ears in response to boos.
However, Price comfortably closed out the match and will now face Jim Long.
The report has been compiled by Press Orb using information reported across bbc.co.uk. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.