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England experienced varying outcomes during the WXV Global Series; however, the team gained more insights from this campaign than they did following their Rugby World Cup final defeat in 2022, which is particularly timely.
The Red Roses, who clinched their eighth successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title in May, secured three victories, one draw, and two losses. The latter results, however, received most of the spotlight.
England faced challenges against Canada, unable to secure a win over three matches, suffering two defeats and drawing with their opponents from the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final, who were notably strong in their performances.
Kévin Rouet’s team was forthright about their intent to overcome England and successfully met that goal, inadvertently providing England with critical lessons after four years without a loss.
This was significant as England hadn’t felt defeat since the final in 2022. Head coach John Mitchell expressed that he would derive more learning from the losses compared to the wins, and Abi Burton indicated to RugbyPass that a team’s weaknesses are more evident following a defeat, prompting them to focus more intensively on areas for improvement and development. The timing of these losses was fortuitous, as no trophies were at stake.
While there were aspects needing refinement throughout, two specific areas in the Ottawa and Toronto matches allowed Canada to build substantial momentum: a disorganized attack and an ineffective lineout. Knock-ons and careless passes led to missed opportunities, while Canada successfully deciphered England’s attack strategies A and B. They confined Ellie Kildunne with multiple defenders, limiting the impactful full-back’s contributions, while their high-pressure defense and tactics to slow down play at the breakdown hindered England’s capacity to gain advantageous ball.
On a positive note, England can take solace in the fact that they were not overpowered by Canada. The first loss was by a mere three points, while the second was by nine points. Both matches were closely contested, providing thrilling moments for viewers. This evolving dynamic, with teams catching up to the Red Roses, not only showcases new emerging talent but also provides audiences with captivating Test matches.
The WXV Global Series was not solely characterized by losses for England, as they also achieved victories against Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. Despite the results from the series, they maintain their status as world No.1s, although there were adjustments in the lineup during the last two matches.
Kildunne’s containment and a dip in performance led to her being benched, with Emma Sing taking on the full-back role, while Mia Venner started on the wing for the final two matches after Claudia Moloney-MacDonald was first sidelined, followed by Jess Breach. Sing delivered solid performances, while Venner truly distinguished herself with outstanding displays in both games.
There remains considerable time before England’s next game, which will commence the 2027 Women’s Six Nations in April, leaving supporters eager to see if the recent starters can secure their positions long-term. This outcome will depend not only on the recent campaign but also on the players’ ability to maintain their form in the JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby season.
Several players showcased remarkable consistency for England throughout all six WXV Global Series matches, particularly Bryony Field, Maddie Feaunati, Zoe Harrison, and captain Meg Jones. While other players also performed well, these four stood out distinctly.
Field made a notable impression, earning her first cap against Australia in September and securing a starting position for the closely contested match against the Black Ferns, contributing in all subsequent matches. She is likely to present selection challenges for Mitchell at hooker, especially now that Lark Atkin-Davies has returned to the lineup following her maternity leave.
England concluded their WXV Global Series journey with a victory over the USA, leaving them with a sense of accomplishment before their next outing. They are also anticipated to clinch their ninth consecutive Women’s Six Nations, with France being the only realistic contenders for the title, particularly given their recent form decline in October.
Although France was without several key players, such as Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Manae Feleu during their series in New Zealand, they suffered repeated defeats to the Black Ferns. New Zealand triumphed in all three matches with a total score of 148-31, including a staggering 81-12 in the first match, which doesn’t suggest a promising scenario for a title win in the upcoming year. Nonetheless, they will face England at Allianz Stadium, which has previously seen narrow contests against England in recent years.
Thus, England’s winning streak has experienced a slight interruption during this WXV Global Series, ending their 41-game unbeaten record. However, a new winning chapter has unfolded, and fans will be keenly observing how long this phase lasts, knowing England will not meet Canada or New Zealand again until 2028 due to the inaugural women’s British & Irish Lions tour scheduled for 2027.
