Canada halts England’s record 39-match win streak in a gripping 26-26 rugby draw

EXETER, England (AP) — England’s record 39-match winning streak in women’s rugby was stopped by Canada after a thrilling 26-26 draw in WXV on Saturday.

Their first match since England won the final of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup a year ago was far more compelling. The score was knotted at 5, 12, 19 at halftime, and 26 with a quarter to go at overcast Sandy Park.

England spent most of the last quarter on attack and was held up over the tryline. Canada brought more pressure on itself with errors but held out the Red Roses, who failed to win a test for the first time since the final of the 2022 World Cup against New Zealand but extended their unbeaten streak to 40 matches.

Outstanding support play and pick and goes marked most of the eight tries, split evenly, as England winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Canada prop DaLeaka Menin picked up first-half doubles.

But defense dominated after halftime. A converted try from a maul finished by first-time starting hooker Bryony Field put England back in front and four minutes later Canada scrumhalf Olivia Apps finished a break by lock Sophie de Goede to tie the score again. At fulltime, neither team looked happy.

“It was amazing test match rugby, which is what we want. We want a battle,” England captain Megan Jones told the BBC.

The teams will meet twice more in Canada, on Oct. 16 in Toronto and Oct. 23 in Ottawa.

England will host New Zealand next weekend at Twickenham.

The Black Ferns warmed up by routing Scotland 66-14 with 10 tries in Edinburgh.

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