Canada end England's 41-match unbeaten run

The Canada women's rugby team won the Test in Toronto 24-21, ending world champions England's 41-match unbeaten run. Last month in Exeter, Canada had also drawn 26-26 with England, stopping the Red Roses' 39-match winning streak.

England had last lost on 12 November 2022, to New Zealand in the World Cup final at Eden Park. The team had not lost for four years since that day. They had previously won 30 matches in a row between November 2019 and November 2022. Before Toronto, they had won 70 of their previous 72 Tests.

England won eight consecutive Six Nations titles and took their third world cup on home soil in 2025. However, that dominance had weakened the competition in tournaments. Canada's rise and New Zealand's recovery are seen as positive for women's rugby. Last month at Twickenham, the Black Ferns were level at 19-19 and came close to winning in the final play, but England took the match.

England had beaten Canada 50-45 in 2023 and by a similar margin in the other match that year. In Toronto, Canada came back from 21-12 behind to win. The two teams will meet for the third time on Friday, 23 October, in Ottawa. Head coach John Mitchell is reported to have signalled in recent months that his team could be beaten.