The England women’s rugby union team suffered their first consecutive losses in a decade, falling 31-22 to Canada in the WXV Global Series in Ottawa. This defeat marks a significant shift in momentum for the Red Roses, who had previously maintained an impressive four-year unbeaten run. The result follows a narrow 24-21 loss in Toronto last week, effectively ending a period of sustained dominance and raising urgent questions about the squad’s consistency against top-tier opposition.
Red Roses’ four-year unbeaten streak ends as Canada capitalizes on Ottawa upset
Maddie Feaunati provided an early spark for the visitors, crossing in the opening ten minutes with a conversion from Zoe Harrison to put England ahead. However, the Red Roses failed to sustain their pressure, allowing Canada to seize control of the match. Despite a spirited second-half effort that saw England overturn a half-time deficit to briefly lead 17-12, the team lacked the closing power to secure a draw. Canada’s resilience ultimately proved decisive, as they outscored England 14-5 in the final quarter to seal the victory.
This back-to-back defeat serves as a critical wake-up call for the England management ahead of upcoming international fixtures. The inability to convert a late lead into a positive result highlights defensive vulnerabilities that must be addressed immediately. As the WXV Global Series continues, the Red Roses must regroup and restore their defensive solidity to prevent this dip in form from becoming a longer-term trend, ensuring they remain competitive in the global rugby landscape.
Source: The Independent Sport
