Red Roses wing Jessica Breach scored six tries on her debut as England beat Canada 79-5 in their 2017 Old Mutual Wealth Series opener at Allianz Park.
In their first game since the Women’s Rugby World Cup final, England put in a dominant performance as they ran in 13 tries in North London.
With her first touch in international rugby, winger Breach showed a superb burst of pace out wide to score in the corner for the opening points at 5 minutes.
Rachel Burford was next to score and was soon followed by Breach, who scored her second and third in quick succession. Abby Dow next crossed the whitewash, scoring a try on her debut, making it 29-0 to England at the break.
The scoring continued in the second half as Breach crossed over in the opening minutes. Further tries followed from hooker Amy Cokayne, Breach again for her fifth, and man of the match Marlie Packer who also dotted down.
Canada were next to put points on the board with number 8, Cindy Nelles scoring their only try of the game.
Dow then crossed over for a second time at the 62nd minute, with Breach securing her sixth try just two minutes later. Rochelle Clark, England’s most capped player, crossed the line from close range with debutant Ellie Kildunne scoring England’s last try of the game.
England head coach Simon Middleton: “I’m thrilled really as we wanted to get some certain things out of the game and we got them tonight.
“Particularly our defence, I know it’s easy when you score nearly 80 points but that is a big work on as we weren’t good enough at the World Cup.
“Some of our attacking play was great and we did what we said we wanted to do which was get the gas on the ball on the edges. When you’ve got an axis of Katy Daley-Mclean, Rachel Burford and Amber Reed in the middle, you’re not going to be short of ball on the edge.
“I’m really pleased for them as right across the board all the girls played well tonight and everybody who came on for their debut did a great job.”
England Women match-day 23, Old Mutual Wealth Series 2017
15. Danielle Waterman (Wasps FC Ladies, 75 caps)
14. Abigail Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 1 cap)
13. Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies, 73 caps)
12. Amber Reed (Bristol Ladies, 45 caps)
11. Jess Breach (Harlequins Ladies, 1 cap)
10. Katy Daley- Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 92 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies, 14 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies, 32 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Wasps FC Ladies, 34 caps)
3. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 11 caps)
4. Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies, 22 caps)
5. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond FC, 41 caps)
6. Sarah Hunter © (Loughborough Lightning, 99 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 52 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 16 caps)
16. Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries, 4 caps)
17. Rochelle Clark (Wasps FC Ladies, 130 caps)
18. Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women, 1 cap)
19. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 110 caps)
20. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Ladies, 1 cap)
21. Caity Mattinson (Bristol Ladies, 1 cap)
22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 1 cap)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC, 1 cap)
Old Mutual Wealth Series 2017
England 79-5 Canada
Tries: Breach (6), Burford, Dow (2), Cokayne, Packer, Clark, Kildunne
Conversions: Reed (5), Harrison (2)
21st November – Twickenham Stoop (KO 19:45, live Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix)
England Women v Canada
Tickets available via Englandrugby.com/tickets
25th November – Twickenham Stadium (KO 17:40, live Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix)
England Women v Canada
Report courtesy of the RFU
