England's 39-match winning run ended by Canada draw in WXV
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald's two first-half tries proved just enough to salvage a 26-26 draw for England against Canada at Sandy Park, ending a remarkable run of successive victories.
England's extraordinary sequence of consecutive wins came to a halt at Sandy Park, where Canada held the Red Roses to a 26-26 draw in their WXV fixture, according to Guardian Rugby Union.
The result brought an end to a run of 39 straight victories, one of the most sustained winning streaks anywhere in international sport. England remain unbeaten in 40 Tests, but the draw marks the first time since 2022 that they have failed to win a fixture outright.
Canada were the architects of England's discomfort, producing a committed and disciplined performance that, by the Guardian's account, left them unfortunate not to have taken more than a share of the spoils.
The contest remained finely balanced deep into the closing quarter, with the destination of victory in doubt right until the end rather than settled early, as had so often been the case during England's long unbeaten run.
England were ultimately indebted to their Exeter wing, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, whose two tries in the first half kept the hosts in touch and proved decisive in securing a share of the points.
There were no celebrations to mark the outcome this time. Robert Kitson's report from Sandy Park notes that, for once, there were no victory speeches for England to deliver once the final whistle sounded.
The draw does not end England's unbeaten record, which now stands at 40 Tests without defeat, but it does close out the pure winning sequence that had made the Red Roses one of the standout stories in the women's game.
Canada leave Sandy Park having proven themselves capable of matching England for large periods of the contest, a result that will sharpen attention on how both sides fare as the WXV campaign continues.