Red Roses Fall to Canada Twice in a Week, and Radio 5 Live Asks What Comes Next

England's women's team, the Red Roses, have lost two matches in a week to Canada. Canada won 24-21 in Toronto in mid-October, ending England's long unbeaten run. They then beat England 31-22 in Ottawa on 24 October. BBC Sport described it as England's first back-to-back defeats in a decade.

England Rugby said the Toronto loss was the Red Roses' first defeat in 41 matches. Both games were part of the WXV Global Series, an annual run of women's Test matches between some of the sport's strongest nations. The Ottawa game was a tough one to watch for England supporters. Canada's captain scored a hat-trick, meaning three tries, according to BBC Sport.

England head coach Simon Middleton did not hide the frustration. England Rugby quoted him after the Ottawa loss, but the bigger question now is the road ahead. (Note: this line has been removed.)

On Sunday, BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby Union Weekly looked back at the series. Presenters Sara Orchard and Ugo Monye were joined by former Scotland captain Lisa Martin, and the 62-minute programme asked what England should do next after the losses.

The series was not all bad news for the home nations. Scotland failed to win a match, while Wales and Ireland had positive campaigns. The programme covered all four teams, along with the question of which players from outside England look in good shape for next year's British and Irish Lions squad. The Lions are a combined side picked from players of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and they tour every few years.

Coach Shaun Edwards also featured. He spoke about his work with the Red Roses and his new role with Argentina's men's team. The programme also asked whether he was likely to join Steve Borthwick's England set-up, which is the men's national team. That remains speculation, as no move has been announced.

For England, the next step is about rebuilding momentum. Their coaches and players now have time to look at what went wrong in the two games before the next international window. For everyone else, it is a reminder of how close women's Test rugby has become, with two results in Canada separated by a single week.