![\"Claudia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789869858_427_skysports-red-roses-moloney_7356205.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanada took their first step towards avenging their Rugby World Cup final defeat to England by ending the Red Roses’ 39-Test winning streak in a gripping 26-26 draw in Exeter.<\/p>\n
Eight days short of the one-year anniversary of England’s 33-13 triumph at Twickenham, the sides treated a sold-out Sandy Park to an absorbing WXV Global Series clash featuring eight tries that went down to the final play with the clock in the red.<\/p>\n
First-half doubles from England wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Canada prop Daleaka Menin, plus scores from Hannah Botterman and Lizzie Gibson, saw the sides locked at 19-19 at the break after a six-try opening half.<\/p>\n
Bryony Field’s second Test try looked to have laid the foundations for a trademark second-half surge from the Red Roses, but Canada refused to roll over, striking back through scrum-half Olivia Apps.<\/p>\n
England laid siege to the Canada line but could not find a decisive breakthrough as the Canucks kicked the final play dead to avoid defeat against the Red Roses on English soil for the first time.<\/p>\n
The Red Roses will hope to return to winning ways when they host New Zealand – the last team to beat them in the 2022 World Cup final – at Allianz Stadium next Saturday before travelling to Tests in Toronto and Ottawa against Canada, who face France next week.<\/p>\n
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Image:
\n Claudia Moloney-MacDonald touches down <\/p>\n
Canada led after five minutes when Lizzie Gibson went over but Sophie de Goede missed the conversion.<\/p>\n
England responded five minutes later through a well-worked Moloney-MacDonald try, but Zoe Harrison could also not add the extras.<\/p>\n
A pulsating start continued when Menin put Canada back in front in the 14th minute – De Goede making the conversion this time – only for Botterman to force her way over the line shortly after, with Harrison slotting over to level the game once again.<\/p>\n
Moloney-MacDonald’s second try of the half gave the hosts their first lead but Menin responded with her second just before the break.<\/p>\n
Field, on her first start, scored from a rolling maul in the 53rd minute and Harrison gave England a seven-point cushion, but just four minutes later Apps finished off a fine Canada attack and De Goede made it 26-26.<\/p>\n
England were camped in Canada’s territory in the closing stages but could not find a winning score to keep their run going.<\/p>\n
‘This is ideal for us’<\/p>\n
England head coach John Mitchell:<\/p>\n
“We are in a Test series, which is really good for us.<\/p>\n
“We need to get better, and there is a greater purpose than this one Test match.<\/p>\n
“This is ideal for us and allows us to stay focused.”<\/p>\n
Canada had point to prove<\/p>\n
Player of the match Daleaka Menin:<\/p>\n
“It was a big challenge, I am a little tired. We didn’t get exactly what we wanted but it was a great game of rugby.<\/p>\n
“We have two more against them so we will see what happens. This week we were really trying to push ourselves.<\/p>\n
“We really wanted to prove something here. This is just the start of this journey.”<\/p>\n
‘Test match rugby gives best feedback’<\/p>\n
England captain Meg Jones:<\/p>\n
“It was amazing Test match rugby. That is what we want, it was a battle.<\/p>\n
“Our discipline let us down, we didn’t get in the right areas, and execute.<\/p>\n
“We have got two more shots [at Canada]. We are just looking to grow each time we play because the game gives you the best feedback.<\/p>\n
“We will go again next week.”<\/p>\n