England Women made a disappointing start to the Women’s Rugby Super Series in Salt Lake City, losing 52-17 to Canada.
Second half tries from Katie Mason, Millie Wood and Bianca Blackburn were not enough to claw back a half time deficit which saw England trailing 39-0.
Canada’s physicality put them on the front foot, meaning England were often second best in the collisions. However, the side came back from half time and despite conceding the first score, the introduction of Alex Matthews from the bench put England back into the game.
Mason first finished off a good period of possession wide on the right before Wood finished in the centre to score on her England debut. Blackburn was then on the end of one of the tries of the day, taking the ball from Matthews, who was later awarded player of the match, to show power and determination and run in from halfway.
Canada did have the final say though with quick hands sending Katie McNally over for their sixth and final try.
Lead coach Scott Bemand said: “We came up against a very strong Canada side today with some outstanding athletes. We didn’t adapt to the environment well enough to be competitive. The Canadians played with a physicality and intensity that we didn’t match at the start of the game.
“There were some positives from today. Alex Mathews on her return to the squad from sevens made a huge impact of the bench, earning herself player of the match after just 35 mins on the pitch and Millie Wood celebrated her first cap with a try.”
England now have a quick turnaround to improve against France, who they face on Tuesday, KO 10pm BST, again at the Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City. The two sides last met in the final game of the Six Nations, with the French victorious to grab the tournament title.
Bemand added: “We are disappointed but we have four days to regroup and to put this right. We have some exciting games to come, not least against France who we know we well but it’s always good to play.”
England Women games, Women’s Rugby Super Series, KO times 10.00pm BST, and all games broadcast live on TheRugbyChannel.TV
v Canada 1 July
England: Tries: Mason, Wood, Blackburn (Conversion: Large)
Canada: Tries: Julianne Zussman (2), Mary-Jane Kirby, Emily Belchos, Chelsea Guthrie, Barbara MervinKatie McNally .
- England v France 5 July
- England v USA 9 July
England Women match-day 23 v Canada
15. Katie Mason (Bristol) (11 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (23 caps)
13. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (1 cap)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (48 caps)
11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (8 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol) (30 caps)
9. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park) (55 caps)
1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (111 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (14 caps)
3. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (15 caps)
4. Courtney Gill (Worcester) (2 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (92 caps)
6. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (32 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (18 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (79 caps) (c)
16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (2 caps)
17. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park) (7 caps)
18. Laura Keates (Worcester) (50 caps)
19. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (22 caps)
20. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (4 caps)
21. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (14 caps)
22. Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park) (17 caps)
23. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (27 caps)
Canada Squad:
1. Carolyn McEwen (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club), Vancouver, BC
2. Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
3. DaLeaka Menin (Hornets) Vulcan, AB
4. Laura Russell captain (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
5. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SK
6. Barbara Mervin (Velox RFC) Peterborough, ON
7. Latoya Blackwood (St. Anne de Bellevue/Toulouse) Montreal, QC
8. Jacey Murphy (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
9. Chelsea Guthrie (Stratchona Druids) Edmonton, AB
10. Emily Belchos (Markham Irish) Barrie, ON
11. Frédérique Rajotte (Sainte Anne de Bellevue RFC) Sainte Anne de Bellevue, QC
12. Andrea Burk (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
13. Alex Tessier (Montreal Barbarians) Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QB
14. Brittany Waters (Castaway Wanderers) Vancouver, BC
15. Julianne Zussman (Castaway Wanderers) Montreal, QC
16. Demi Stamatakis (SFU) Vancouver, BC
17. Olivia DeMerchant (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
18. Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, ON
19. Fabiola Forteza (Club de Rugby de Quebec) Quebec, QC
20. Katie Svoboda (Belleville Bulldogs) Belleville, ON
21. Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Pointe-Claire, QC
22. Anais Holly (TMRRFC) Montreal, QC
23. Katie McNally (Castaway Wanderers) Guelph, ON
Report courtesy of England Rugby
Canada team list and scorers from Rugby Canada
