The Breakdown | ‘Freer’ Red Roses resolve to come back stronger after Canada end epic run

A 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 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”.

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