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 lose, falling to defeat is a good thing for England and the wider sport. Losing could actually make England a deadlier team to face. That is because they now need to find another level to their game with teams beginning to figure out ways to beat them.
They have been pushed over the past few years by teams such as Canada, New Zealand and France, but they always had just enough to get the result over the line. Now they have been presented with a new challenge and John Mitchell, who lost his first game as Red Roses head coach, said post-defeat when his side “gets a setback, it generally learns quicker”. It is not just tactically and physically that the Red Roses may grow, but the mentality of the group may also shift.
A defeat was inevitable at some stage, with everyone watching and waiting for the game in which it would come. Mitchell said his players may feel “freer” now that the unbeaten run is over. It allows us all to find more.
I know this group has definitely got more in it but sometimes it requires the context that we have just received to dig deeper and push for something more.” Losing an international rugby game is a new experience for some of the players in the squad. Abi Burton and Maddie Feaunati are among those who have never tasted defeat for England. Jess Breach’s record is an incredible 59 wins and one loss.
The defeat may make those players more versatile and adaptable, too. The England captain, Meg Jones, said of the initial reaction from the squad: “For us the biggest thing is that we stick together. Games are built on moments, it is not one individual moment, it is multiple.
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