England's 39-Win Streak Ends in Thrilling Rugby Draw

England's Red Roses couldn't quite clinch win number 40, but what they delivered instead was something even better: a showcase of world-class women's rugby that had fans on their feet from start to finish.

The Red Roses battled Canada to a 26-26 draw at Exeter's Sandy Park, ending a remarkable winning streak that stretched back to 2022. But the real story isn't about a streak ending—it's about how thrilling women's rugby has become.

The two teams traded blows like heavyweight boxers, with eight total tries lighting up the scoreboard. England found themselves trailing twice in the first half alone, showing the kind of resilience that built their winning streak in the first place. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Hannah Botterman answered Canada's early scores, keeping the match neck-and-neck.

Canada's DaLeaka Menin earned player of the match honors, scoring crucial tries that kept her team in the fight. When Menin crossed the line just before halftime to make it 19-19, it was clear this wouldn't be a routine England victory.

The second half delivered more of the same electricity. Every time England pushed ahead, Canada had an answer, culminating in Olivia Apps' try under the posts that secured the historic draw.

The Bright Side

This wasn't a loss for England—it was a 26-26 reminder that competitive women's rugby creates the kind of drama fans crave. Captain Meg Jones summed it up perfectly: "It was amazing Test-match rugby, which is what we want. We want a battle and for it to be competitive."

For Canada, drawing with the world's dominant team on English soil represents a massive confidence boost. "We really wanted to prove something here," Menin said afterward. "This is just the start of this journey."

The timing couldn't be better. With two more matches scheduled in Toronto and Ottawa next month, fans get to watch this rivalry continue at its absolute peak. England's 40-match unbeaten streak remains intact, and both teams showed they're capable of producing the kind of rugby that will pack stadiums.

Women's rugby keeps reaching new heights, and matches like this prove exactly why.