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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Sarah Rendell

Red Roses’ four-year unbeaten streak ends in a thriller as Canada claim late win

England’s Zoe Harrison tackles Canada’s Alysha Corrigan during the WXV series rugby match at BMO Field in Toronto
England’s Zoe Harrison tackles Canada’s Alysha Corrigan as the Red Roses suffer a rare defeat in the WXV series with a 24-21 loss at BMO Field in Toronto. Photograph: Canadian Press/Shutterstock

No, there is nothing wrong with whatever device you are reading this on. The 24-21 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 winning streak with a 26-26 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.

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