England 26-26 Canada: Red Roses' 39-game winning run ends with thrilling draw

Tries: Moloney-MacDonald 2, Botterman, Field Cons: Harrison 3

England'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 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.

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.

The draw also ended England's 100% home record against Canada, having won each of their previous 13 home meetings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. A week earlier, Australia led 10-5 at half-time, marking the first time the Red Roses had trailed at the interval since 2020.

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.

Twice they led, twice they were pegged back. 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.

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.

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.

But rather than be disappointed, head coach Mitchell hailed the opportunity that the result presents.

"Canada were good and we were also good," he said. "At times it was a real arm wrestle.

"We are really in a Test series, which is great for us. 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. This is ideal for us and allows us to stay focused on what's necessary to get a better performance."

England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Botterman, Field, Muir, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Kabeya, Matthews.

Replacements : Campbell, Carson, Bern, Burns, Feaunati, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison.

Canada: Gallagher; Hogan-Rochester, Symonds, Tessier, Williams; Perry, Apps; Nelson, Idowu, Menin, De Goede (capt), Royer, Smith, Omokhuale, Gibson.

Replacements: Boag, McDonald, Rempel, Forteza, Buisa, Senft, Pelletier, Bauder.

Assistant referees: Aurelie Groizeleau (France) and Alexandra Ferre (France)