Photo via BBC Sport

England's 41-match unbeaten run ended by Canada

England’s historic 41-match unbeaten streak in women’s rugby was finally broken by Canada in a dramatic late twist during the WXV Global Series. The Red Roses, who had dominated international competition since November 2022, fell to a 24–21 defeat in Toronto, their first loss to Canada since 2016 and their first defeat on Canadian soil.

Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s try in the final minutes sealed the victory, following a tense second half where Canada’s defensive resilience stifled England’s attacking momentum. The hosts, who had already forced a 26–26 draw against England earlier this year, became the first team to defeat the world champions since their World Cup final loss to New Zealand in 2022.

The match, played in front of a record 18,621 spectators—the largest crowd for a standalone women’s fixture in North America—highlighted England’s struggles with clinical finishing and defensive vulnerabilities, despite a strong start that saw them lead 14–5 at halftime. Head coach John Mitchell acknowledged the setback as a chance to regroup, emphasizing process over results as England prepare for their next fixtures in Ottawa and New Jersey.

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