England held to 26-26 draw by Canada, ending 39-match winning run

England and Canada played to a 26-26 draw in a WXV Test at home on 19 September 2026, a result that ended England’s run of 39 successive wins. The draw left the Red Roses unbeaten in 40 Tests but marked their first international fixture without a victory since 2022.

Canada produced a committed performance that the report said deserved a share of the points and at times looked unlucky not to take more. England were described as lacking some of their customary forward dynamism, while Ellie Kildunne was repeatedly denied space out wide under grey, drizzle-threatening skies. The crowd atmosphere was noted as uplifting, with many children and young adults in attendance.

Canada struck early, scoring two first-quarter tries through number eight Lizzie Gibson and prop DaLeaka Menin from close-quarters pick-and-go pressure. England responded through Exeter wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald’s ninth-minute try and a no-nonsense barging score from Hannah Botterman, restoring parity during the opening exchanges.

Several potential scores were disallowed during the first half: Moloney-MacDonald was unable to properly ground a bouncing chip ahead, and Asia Hogan-Rochester had a 45-metre solo effort ruled out for a marginal forward pass. Moloney-MacDonald later added a second try on the right after a strong carry from Sadia Kabeya, while Menin grabbed her second on the stroke of half-time to leave the teams level at 19-19.

The visitors dominated much of the third quarter until a turnover in England’s 22 created an escape route that ended in a try for hooker Bryony Field on her first international start. Canada continued to press and the report highlighted Sophie de Goede’s 20-metre gallop before an offload to Olivia Apps as one of the visitors’ more dangerous sequences.

With the clock winding down and the scores still locked, England looked to have found a late breakthrough only for the home forwards to be held up over the line and then denied by a celebrated Canadian ruck turnover. The report singled out Canada’s openside Julia Omokhuale and de Goede as outstanding performers during the contest and noted that Menin also plays her club rugby for Exeter.

The result ended England’s sequence of 39 straight wins while leaving both sides set to meet again within the WXV series; Canada will host England in two further WXV series Tests this autumn.