Red Roses’ unbeaten streak ends in a thriller as Canada claim win with late try

No, there is nothing wrong with whatever device you are reading this on. The scoreline is correct. Yes, it finally happened. England have lost a rugby game after four years and 41 games unbeaten. The defeat came at the hands of a passionate, resilient and impressive Canadian outfit who had made it clear they were out for revenge for last year’s World Cup loss.

Canada had already ended England’s win streak with a 26-all draw in Exeter last month but that was not vengeance enough. The scrum-half Olivia Apps said in the buildup to these matches that Canada had been doing everything they can in 2026 to make it possible to beat England and that is just what they did.

It was Apps who was one of Canada’s standout players in a cold Toronto with Sophie de Goede her usual best and the player of the match DaLeaka Menin a hugely valuable asset. This result is down to Canada’s great performance but England had opportunities to make a difference on the scoreboard. Several tries went begging, the team’s first try coming after 30 minutes, and their defence just could not hold out the repeated attacks put forward by their rivals.

This Test also made history with a record North American crowd for a women’s rugby game with 18,621 in the stands. The fans more than played their part in this landmark result for Canada, whose last home game was in August 2025.

The game started fast and physical and England had an early score ruled out as Claudia Moloney-MacDonald did not have clean grounding. That gave the hosts confidence which turned into attacking momentum. England put in a series of defensive efforts but they leaked penalties in the process which resulted in Zoe Harrison receiving a yellow card. Being a player up, Canada capitalised and Savannah Bauder scored with an attacking overlap in the corner.

It was then Canada’s turn to defend and they formed a red wall as they repeatedly repelled England just metres from the line. The Red Roses were forced to go to plan B and C in attack, it forced Laetitia Royer offside and sent to the sin bin. England still looked stunned with scrappy attack but eventually they found their try with Maddie Feaunati over.

A lovely England team try was finished off by Harrison and though Canada were arguably the better side in the first half, it was the visitors who went into half-time with a 14-5 lead.

A beautiful solo try from Alysha Corrigan set Canada on their way in the second half but Sarah Bern hit straight back in this close tussle. The tries completely opened up play with breathtaking rugby with Canada getting the crowd in full screaming voice and they were finally rewarded with a try by Menin. Two points separated the teams but Shoshanah Seumanutafa put Canada ahead with two minutes left and they managed to see out the game.

What it meant to the team was clear to see with a wave of red flooding the pitch as the entire player and coaching staff celebrated.