Canada end England's 41-match unbeaten run in rugby

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 11:38 · Archive

Canada defeated England 24-21 in rugby union, ending the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten streak.

England's 41-match unbeaten run in women's rugby union came to an end when Canada defeated them 24-21 in Toronto on Friday. The Red Roses had not lost since 2022 and recently won the Rugby World Cup. Before this autumn, Canada and England had met seven times this decade, with England winning every match by an average of nearly 22 points.

Canada had previously drawn with England 26-26 in September. England's hooker Amy Cokayne, with 95 international caps, told the press after the defeat: "You can't dwell on it. We weren't a million miles away, so it's not like we have to completely throw the book out - nothing needs to massively change to the way we play." England lost to Canada despite being world champions and having dominated the fixture in recent years.

How it is being reported

• The Breakdown | ‘Freer’ Red Roses resolve to come back stronger after Canada end epic runA first defeat in four years could be liberating for England after so long fighting to preserve their historic unbeaten run England’s glittering unbeaten era is over. Canada defeated the Red Roses to deal them a first defeat in four years after 40 wins and one draw. It was a landmark result for the Canadians, who will look to replicate the outcome this weekend when the two nations meet again. England must reset but they won’t panic; the Red Roses have been the standard bearers for the past seven years, which is why they have lost only twice in 73 matches. But while no team would ever aim to…Guardian Sport · 20 Oct, 11:00
• How have Canada closed gap to world champions England?Forty-one matches, four years and one Rugby World Cup triumph - but England's unbeaten run is over. So how did Canada close the gap to the Red Roses?BBC Sport · 19 Oct, 22:38

In this story: England · Canada · Amy Cokayne · John Mitchell · Toronto · Exeter

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem