England’s women’s rugby team played Canada to a 26-26 draw in a WXV Global Series match at Exeter’s Sandy Park, marking the end of their 39-match winning streak. Despite the loss of the streak, the Red Roses extended their unbeaten run to 40 consecutive matches with the result.
Head coach John Mitchell characterized the contest as a closely fought affair and suggested the draw would serve as motivation for future performances rather than a setback to England’s overall trajectory. Mitchell noted that England had applied significant pressure throughout the match but failed to convert opportunities into points. He emphasized that the result represented only the second game of the season for most players and should not overshadow the team’s long-term objectives.
Canada, which had lost all 13 previous meetings against England on English soil, proved to be a formidable competitor. The two teams traded scores throughout the fixture, with neither side able to establish a commanding advantage. England was unable to convert an extended period of sustained pressure midway through the match into a decisive score.
The draw sets up a three-match series between the nations, with additional games scheduled for later in the season in Toronto and Ottawa. England also faces New Zealand and the United States in upcoming WXV Global Series fixtures. Captain Meg Jones praised both teams’ performance and noted the competitive nature of the contest, indicating confidence about upcoming opportunities against Canada.
England’s previous winning streak began under former head coach Simon Middleton and continued under John Mitchell’s tenure starting midway through the 2023 WXV1 campaign. The streak had included World Cup success, a Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam title, and victory over Australia earlier in the current season.
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