England Red Roses' 39-match winning streak ends with draw against Canada
England women's rugby team drew 26-26 with Canada in Exeter, ending their 39-match winning streak.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
England's women's rugby team saw their remarkable 39-match winning run come to an end on Saturday, drawing 26-all with Canada in a rematch of last year's World Cup final. The match, played at Sandy Park in Exeter, was a tense and dramatic affair from start to finish.
Canada started the quicker of the two sides, powering their way to the line in the opening exchanges. England, however, fought back, with Claudia Maloney-McDonald standing out in the first half. She scored two tries of her own to bring the Red Roses level and then put them ahead for the first time in the match.
Despite England's efforts, the game remained tight and nervy. Every time one side nudged ahead, the other responded almost immediately. The pattern continued after the break, with both teams trading scores. Canada's outstanding performers, including two of their most influential players, kept the pressure on England, who were unused to being tested so severely.
With the score tied as the final minutes approached, England pushed for a late advantage but were denied the chance. Canada opted to take the draw, a decision met with annoyance from the Sandy Park crowd. The result brought an end to England's 39-match winning streak, although they remain unbeaten under the new coaching setup.
The draw was described as one of the most epic test matches the women's game has seen in a long time. For Canada, it was not quite redemption for their World Cup final defeat, but certainly a statement of intent. England now face a quick turnaround, with New Zealand waiting at Twickenham next weekend.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Canada chose to accept the draw, which annoyed the crowd. | |
| Claudia Maloney-McDonald scored two tries for England. | |
| England drew 26-26 with Canada, ending their 39-match winning streak. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC report leads with the dramatic end to England's winning streak, emphasising the match's high quality and tension. It highlights the standout performance of Claudia Maloney-McDonald and notes Canada's tactical decision to settle for a draw. The report also looks ahead to England's next match against New Zealand, indicating the broader context of the team's season.
- “England's women's remarkable 39-match winning run has ended in dramatic fashion.”
- “One of the most epic test matches the women's game has seen in a long time.”
- “England's winning streak ended, although they remain unbeaten, with New Zealand lurking at Twickenham next weekend.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.