WXV World Collection
England (19) 26
Tries: Moloney-MacDonald 2, Botterman, Subject Cons: Harrison 3
Canada (19) 26
Tries: Gibson, Menin 2 Cons: De Goede 3
England’s exceptional 39-match profitable run got here to an finish as they have been held to a nail-biting 26-26 draw by Canada at Sandy Park.
The Pink Roses have been unable to flee the clutches of a relentless Canada, who they beat in final yr’s World Cup last, with the 2 sides sharing 4 tries apiece in entrance of a raucous 14,573 crowd in Exeter.
Canada are the primary group to keep away from defeat in opposition to England since New Zealand beat them within the 2022 World Cup last, however John Mitchell’s facet at the moment are unbeaten in 40 Assessments.
The draw additionally ended England’s 100% residence report in opposition to Canada, having received every of their earlier 13 conferences.
In a pulsating opening 25 minutes, England have been twice required to come back from behind, with tries from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Hannah Botterman cancelling out scores by Lizzie Gibson and DaLeaka Menin for Canada.
Exeter winger Moloney-MacDonald had a attempt disallowed earlier than giving England the lead for the primary time within the thirty second minute, getting on the tip of a surging run from Sadia Kabeya for her second of the match.
Nevertheless, Canada – who had earlier had an excellent solo effort from Asia Hogan-Rochester chalked off for a ahead cross – hit again on the stroke of half-time when Menin crashed over from shut vary.
England weathered 10 minutes of sustained stress firstly of the second half earlier than the 2 sides exchanged tries once more, prop Bryony Subject restoring the lead for the hosts earlier than Canada scrum-half Olivia Apps scored underneath the posts after a dancing run from Sophie de Goede down the left wing.
England seemed the almost definitely to steal the win in a chaotic last 10 minutes, together with being held up over the road, however have been left to a rue a turnover in entrance of the posts and a unfastened carry as Canada battled by for the draw.
