Canada U20s v England U20s
The game that got the new series under way provided excitement and unpredictability.
By half-time it looked as though the Red Rosettes would suffer their second hiding in successive matches (memo: 21-72 to France).
There were mitigating factors for a 0-22 score. The coach, James Cooper, had said that some players weren’t ready [for this standard of play], but would be. That implied an interesting approach to age-group rugby that could hunt for parallels. His team consisted of U19s. I hope the Canadians didn’t see that as insulting in any way.
Their kick-off forced England to carry the ball over their own line. A rarissime event! The first scrum travelled in one direction at pace; the English pack strove to right matters, but it was hard work profiting from any possession won.
An English kick to touch missed its target, and Rachel Cullum was the beneficiary, outpacing the defence on the counter. Still inside the first ten minutes, and Callum had her second, calling into question the pace and defensive qualities of the English defence. (0-12)
They did well to hold up another raid on their line, then were let off by Ava Van Santen dropping a final pass on the wing.
England managed to advance as far as their 10-metre line, but as Canada countered, only another dropped pass prevented a third try.
One innovation was rolling substitutes, as per hockey. This allowed coaches to ensure everyone had time on field, and could make sudden changes when deemed necessary. But it meant too that it was tricky keeping up with who was on, who was off.
At the first water-break, the two English props were switched pronto. The Quins pair, Zara Green and Ruby Winstanley, would have the chance to set the record straight in the inspiring second half.
It helps in part to understand the remarkable improvement the England accomplished in the second half. But first, as the hour mark was reached, Olivia Newsome added another try for Canada, converted by Grace Jacklyn.
From there the game turned upside down. The English pack got on top, the backs found fluency, and tries totted up.
Thea Sylvester scored the first, and the boost in confidence was plain to see. (7-22) But the Canadians responded at once, to re-establish that 22-point margin.
It was on the three-quarter mark that England really started firing. Beth Candlin forced her way over (12-29). Next Connie Clarke made a wonderful break to allow Zara Green to finish the job (19-29).
Soon after, Cullum intercepted to run all the way to the line, and apparently make the game safe (19-36), but no! As England mounted another attack to reach the line, Jess Kavanagh deemed a high Canadian tackle prevented a score, so it was a penalty try, and 26-36.
All these scores had come in giddy sequence, and they weren’t done yet. Daisy Aspinall set off from the base of a scrum, and flew all the way to the line (33-36).
This is where nerves, stamina, hope and belief came into their own. As it turned out, Aspinall’s score remained the last of the match. On balance, the Canadians deserved their victory; they had taken the lead and held it throughout.
England’s recovery was praiseworthy, but they were so outplayed in the first 40, that they couldn’t complain about falling three points short.
Just the start this new competition needed.
Result: Canada 36 England 33
Teams, as originally announced:
Canada
1. Madeline Di Girolamo (University of Guelph), 2. Kiki Idowu (Toronto Scottish, University of British Columbia), 3. Jordyn Schneppenheim (Aurora Barbarians, Queen’s University), 4. Anya Prokopich (Vancouver Thunderbirds, University of British Columbia), 5. Sierra Hasse (SABRFC),
6. Jesse Knaggs (Castaway Wanderers, University of British Columbia), 7. Camille Arvin-Bérod (Montreal Irish, Laval University, Lons Section Paloise), 8. Emily Findlay (Westshore, University of Victoria), 9. Ava Ference (Harvard University), 10. Grace Jacklyn (Brantford Harlequins, University of Guelph), 11. Ava Van Santen (Burnaby Lake, Trinity Western University), 12. Kayleigh Noel (Strathcona Druids, University of Lethbridge), 13. Rachel Cullum (Kingston Panthers, Queen’s University), 14. Kennedi Stevenson (Niagra RU), 15. Ria Johnston (CRFC, University of PEI)
Bench
16. Soleil Brooks, 17. Jayne Armatage (Guelph Redcoats, Queen’s University), 18. Maddy Thran (Comox Valley Rapids, University of British Columbia), 19. Emma Grootendorst, 20. Sarah Schonfeld, 21. Olivia Newsome, 22. Elle Douglas (Kirin, University of Victoria), 23. Halle Woodcock (Guelph Redcoats, University of Guelph)
England
15 Daisy Aspinall (Hartpury College), 14 Abigail Pritchard (Hartpury College), 13 Sarah Parry (Harlequins), 12 Molly Bunker (Hartpury College), 11 Connie Clarke (Exeter Chiefs), 10 Becca Jackson (Hartpury College), 9 Poppy Love (Henley College), 1 Zara Green (Harlequins), 2 Lucy Simpson (Hartpury College), 3 Ruby Winstanley (Harlequins), 4 Jasmine Adonri (City of Oxford College), 5 Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs), 6 Iley Bailey (Harlequins), 7 Kaya Acton (Bishop Burton College), 8 Lucy Finch (captain, Loughborough Lightning)
Bench
16 Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun (SGS Filton College), 17 Bethan Candlin (Loughborough College), 18 Keira Muir (Oaklands College), 19 Thea Sylvester (Trailfinders Women), 20 Abbie Hart (Loughborough College), 21 Emily Lunn (Henley College), 22 Jess Doyle (North East Centre of Excellence), 23 Tilly Pulfer (Exeter College)
Referee: Jess Kavanagh (WRU)
Afterthoughts
Canada’s U20 programme relaunched last year with two matches against USA and Wales, so this new series was a welcome addition. It adds to the pathway helped by the addition of a “Canada Selects” squad, a second XV in all but name. They played two matches in Spain last month. With the head coach, Kévin Rouet in charge, and big names like Sara Svoboda, Claire Gallagher and Julia Schell aboard, there was no doubting its high seriousness.
Today’s match reminded us that the gap between U18, U19 and U20s elite rugby can be very wide.
It will be interesting to see how the three other matches play out, each union with its own approach to age-group rugby.
