The Worcester winger got her team off to a dream start in just the fifth minute with a try in the corner following quick hands from England’s backs. It was then forward power which dominated throughout the match, and a rolling maul allowed Amy Cokayne to bundle over 15 minutes later for the first of her two tries of the game.

Thompson scored her second before half time, while England ran riot in the second half as Alex Matthews and Millie Wood scored before Thompson completed her hat-trick with a fine solo try.

Thompson picked the ball up in her own half, shrugged off a couple of tackles and sprinted away for a fine score. Alycia Washington scored USA’s only try seven minutes from time.

England finished the Series with wins against USA and France, who they defeated 13-17 on Tuesday night, and a 17-52 loss against Canada on Friday 1 July.

After their struggles in the first two games, England went out to utilise the width of the pitch and make the USA move from side to side. It worked, as holes opened up through the middle and out wide for powerful runners, such as Matthews, to exploit.

Lead Coach Scott Bemand said: “I am hugely proud of that result today. It’s been a tough two weeks having got off to the start we did against Canada. We said we would regroup and we said we would stick to our principles. The squad have gone away and worked incredibly hard. The way they have managed to come back and produce a performance against the USA who were 0-2 coming into this game, in their country and on their turf, was really impressive.

“The USA threw everything at us physically and our girls have done ever so well to come back here, stick to their principles and then ultimately come up with the result.”

Meanwhile Canada won the Super Series with a 29-10 victory over France, after winning scores of 33-5 over the USA and 52-17 over England.

England Women games, 2016 Women’s Rugby Super Series

• v Canada 1 July (17-52)
  Tries: Mason, Wood, Blackburn
  Conversion: Large
• v France 5 July (17-13)
  Tries: Large, Aldcroft
  Conversions: Reed (2)
  Penalties: Reed
• v USA 9 July (39-13)
  Tries: Thompson (3), Cokayne (2), Matthews, Wood
  Conversions: Cattell

England Women match-day 23 v USA

15. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (29 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (25 caps)
13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (20 caps)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (50 caps)
11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (10 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol) (32 caps)
9. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (15 caps)

1. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (17 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (17 caps)
3. Laura Keates (Worcester) (52 caps)
4. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (34 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (94 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (24 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (20 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (81 caps) (c)

16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (3 caps)
17. Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (113 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol) (2 caps)
19. Zoe Aldrcoft (Darlington Mowden Park) (2 caps)
20. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (6 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Richmond) (9 caps)
22. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (3 caps)
23. Katie Mason (Bristol) (13 caps)

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Among the starting line-up are Katie Mason and Bianca Blackburn, who both scored in the opening game against Canada, Izzy Noel-Smith and Richmond prop Vickii Cornborough. Worcester centre Ceri Large also starts to earn her 50^th senior England cap.

The side defeated France 13-17 at the Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City, on Tuesday night and now face the USA Eagles for their final game on Saturday with KO at 10pm BST.

A last gasp try on debut from Zoe Aldcroft sealed the win for England on Tuesday, following a disappointing 52-17 loss against Canada in their opening match.

Lead coach Scott Bemand said: “The win against France was great for many reasons and now we’re looking to take the confidence we gained into this final game of the series.

“The USA will pose a very different challenge to Canada and France. Both sides have had a quick turnaround to this game, but the girls have recovered well. USA will be looking to get a win from the series and so we know that they will come at us hard but we’ve got to continue to build momentum from Tuesday and deliver what we know we’re capable of as a side.”

England last played the USA in last year’s Super Series in Calgary, winning 39 – 13.

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 (52-17)
  Tries: Mason, Wood, Blackburn
  Conversion: Large
• v France 5 July (13-17)
  Tries: Large, Aldcroft
  Conversions: Reed (2)
  Penalties: Reed
• England v USA 9 July

England Women match-day 23 v USA

15. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (28 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (24 caps)
13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (19 caps)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (49 caps)
11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (9 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol) (31 caps)
9. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (14 caps)

1. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (16 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (15 caps)
3. Laura Keates (Worcester) (51 caps)
4. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (33 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (93 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (23 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (19 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (80 caps) (c)

16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (2 caps)
17. Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (112 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol) (1 cap)
19. Zoe Aldrcoft (Darlington Mowden Park) (1 cap)
20. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (5 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Richmond) (8 caps)
22. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (2 caps)
23. Katie Mason (Bristol) (12 caps)

Report courtesy of England Rugby

A team drive over the line in the final play gave Zoe Aldcroft a try on debut, securing England the win, with the side having dominated for much of the 80 minutes.

Having lost out 52-17 to Canada on Friday, Scott Bemand’s team had a point to prove, but an attritional first half ended 6-3 to France with both defences coming out on top.

Amber Reed’s 46-metre penalty attempt after six minutes was on line but fell short, and two attempts from French centre Camille Boudaud sailed through to put France 6-0 up after half an hour.

A persistent defensive effort from England halted a French rolling maul right on their line, with Tamara Taylor eventually forcing the turnover. This spurred England on to earn their first points of the game through Reed’s boot.

Renewed intensity in the second half saw England rewarded for their relentless pressure when Ceri Large’s dummy allowed her to cut inside for the game’s opening try, which Reed converted.

France responded, scrambling over the line with less than 10 minutes remaining through Agathe Sochat. However, with France having denied England the 2016 Six Nations title, they were not to be deprived again as they pounded away at the French line after a series of penalties. The experience of the forwards paid off with the pack bundling over for the game-winning score with the clock in the red.

Lead coach Scott Bemand said: “That was another typically tough test against the French. Every time we play them, these are genuinely physical and hard matches.

“Perhaps we would have liked to have seen a bit more on the scoreboard but fair play to the French, they defended well and got us under pressure when they went ahead with 10 minutes to go. The character in our group of players, and how they came back from the result against Canada, to keep playing to the death, shows that they understand how to win these international matches.”

Player of the match Amber Reed added: “We were obviously disappointed with how we played last Friday against Canada, and we had a bit of a bone to pick with France coming off the back of the Six Nations.

“So we’re really happy with our performance and how we bounced back as a squad. I think we just had to try and dominate the game up front. We let Canada impose themselves on us last Friday night which is where we fell behind.

“So as a team we were looking to go forward a lot more, and my job is a lot easier when I’ve got a nice platform to play off and my backs are talking to me all game long.”

England now have until Saturday to recover before taking on the US Eagles side that lost out 13-19 to France in their opener.

Reed said: “The USA will pose a totally different challenge. We know they will come at us hard but we’ve just got to look at ourselves and how we play, build our structure, and how we want to characterise ourselves as a team.”

Meanwhile Canada continue their winning run with a decisive victory over the USA:  Canada 33 USA 5

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 (52-17)
  Tries: Mason, Wood, Blackburn
  Conversion: Large
• v France 5 July (13-17)
  Tries: Large, Aldcroft
  Conversions: Reed (2)
  Penalties: Reed
• England v USA 9 July

England Women match-day 23 v France

15. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (28 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (24 caps)
13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (19 caps)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (49 caps)
11. Katie Mason (Bristol) (12 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol) (31 caps)
9. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park) (56 caps)

1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (112 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (15 caps)
3. Laura Keates (Worcester) (51 caps)
4. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (33 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (93 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (23 caps)
7. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (5 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (80 caps) (c)

16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (2 caps)
17. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (16 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol) (1 cap)
19. Zoe Aldrcoft (Darlington Mowden Park) (1 cap)
20. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (19 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Richmond) (8 caps)
22. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (2 caps)
23. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (9 caps)

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Following a disappointing 52-17 defeat to Canada on Friday, England have made seven changes to the starting line-up.

Lauren Cattell comes in at outside centre while Fiona Pocock, Laura Keates, Alex Matthews and Poppy Leitch, who all started on the bench  against Canada, earn a call up to the starting XV tomorrow night.

Zoe Aldcroft and Sarah Bern are on the bench and may earn their first senior cap, while captain Sarah Hunter earns her 80th.

The match kicks off at 10pm BST on Tuesday night at the Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City, and is broadcast live on TheRugbyChannel.TV.

England and France last played in the final game of the 2016 Six Nations, where France, playing at home, narrowly saw off England 17-12 to clinch the title.

France also come into the match off the back of a 19-13 win over hosts USA  so will be feeling confident.

Lead coach Scott Bemand said: “We have regrouped since the Canada game and are ready to face France, a side we know well. We were disappointed by our performance last time as we didn’t adapt well enough on the day.

“We have looked at what we need to improve, as well as the things we did well, and we want to make amends for the Six Nations result in March.”

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 (52-17)
  Tries: Mason, Wood, Blackburn
  Conversion: Large
• England v France 5 July
• England v USA 9 July

England Women match-day 23 v France

15. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (27 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (23 caps)
13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (18 caps)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (48 caps)
11. Katie Mason (Bristol) (11 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. Laura Keates (Worcester) (50 caps)
4. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (32 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (92 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (22 caps)
7. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (4 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (79 caps) (c)

16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (2 caps)
17. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (15 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol) (uncapped)
19. Zoe Aldrcoft (Darlington Mowden Park) (uncapped)
20. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (18 caps)
21. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (14 caps)
22. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (1 cap)
23. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (8 caps

Report courtesy of England Rugby

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

Lichfield centre Millie Wood will start and gain her first senior England cap while Worcester prop Laura Keates will be looking to come off the bench to gain her 50^th. With 661 caps in total, including 524 in the starting XV, England field an experienced squad for this first of three games in the Super Series.

The match kicks off at 10pm BST on Friday night at the Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City.

All teams have spent the week training at the University of Utah ahead of their games.

Lead coach Scott Bemand said: “The team have acclimatised well in Utah since arriving. The heat is an obvious factor to get used to but it is the same for everyone out here.

“We are looking forward to getting the first game underway. Canada will provide us with some tough opposition, as will France and the USA next week, but that is what we came for and what we need if we are going to develop and improve as a side.”

England and Canada played each other in last year’s Super Series, with England narrowly securing a 14-15 victory at Ellersie Park in Edmonton, Canada. England next face France on Tuesday 5 July, before playing USA on Saturday 9 July.

England Women games, Women’s Rugby Super Series, KO times 10.00pm BST, and all games broadcast live on TheRugbyChannel.TV

Canada v England 1 July

England v France 5 July

England v USA 9 July

England Women match-day 23 v Canada

15. Katie Mason (Bristol) (10 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (22 caps)
13. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (uncapped)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (47 caps)
11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (7 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol) (29 caps)
9. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park) (54 caps)

1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (110 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (13 caps)
3. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (14 caps)
4. Courtney Gill (Worcester) (1 cap)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (91 caps)
6. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (31 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (17 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (78 caps) (c)

16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (1 cap)
17. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park) (6 caps)
18. Laura Keates (Worcester) (49 caps)
19. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (21 caps)
20. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (3 caps)
21. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (13 caps)
22. Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (18 caps)
23. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (26 caps)

Report courtesy of England Rugby

England finished the first Rugby Super Series in Canada with a close win over Canada in Edmonton, having already comprehensively beaten the USA and losing out only to New Zealand.  This is a team in transition and Simon Middleton will have learnt a lot about his players.

Thurrock T-Birds England rugby internationals had a particularly impressive tour.  Emily Scott and Heather Fisher (pictured above) were awarded Player of the Match for their performances in wins against USA and Canada respectively.

Meanwhile Thurrock’s flying fullback, Kay Wilson, top scored for England with some scintillating tries.

The girls now look forward to a well-earned rest for a couple of weeks before the T-birds start their push for the premiership when they play Saracens in September.

Full scores from the Super Series:

27 June 2015

England 39-13 USA

Canada 22-40 New Zealand

1 July 2015

England 7-26 NZ

Canada 28-36 USA

5 July 2015

New Zealand 47-14 USA

England 15-14 Canada

England, who last played Canada in the World Cup final 11 months ago where they triumphed 21-9, were held to a much closer game this time around with England only clinging on to the victory in the dying minutes of the game.

Simon Middleton’s side ran in three tries to Canada’s one, but Canadian centre Andrea Burk kicked three penalties only for her last attempt in the final minute, which could have been the match winner, to sail just wide.

Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “Canada certainly provided the physical contest we expected though they did surprise us by keeping the game to such close quarters with a pick and go game.  However, it’s great testimony to the character of our players that they resisted everything they threw at us especially on our line.”

“It’s always difficult when a team comes at you hard in defence. We had to work very hard for our scores.  Our defence as a whole was superb, it had to be, and we delivered on physicality and attitude in this game.”

“This was always going to be a tour of development and our aim was to take our game to the next level with this group.  The USA, New Zealand and Canada are probably the three most physical sides in the world and we have come away having learned a lot about ourselves. We are moving in the right direction as we go through this rebuilding phase.”

Canada started the clash well with a good spell of pressure in England’s 22 in the first 15 minutes, but England duly responded with captain Emily Scarratt and Heather Fisher making some good breaks. In the end, the deadlock was broken on 14 minutes after a good offload from Claire Allan saw wing Kay Wilson dot down in the corner.

Canada pulled three points back with the first of their three penalties from the boot of Burk but again Wilson put Canada on the back foot with a second try. Some good work by the forwards in the line-out handed the backs some width across the pitch and Wilson ran in to score and hand England a 10-3 lead.

Some solid defence by England in the final quarter kept Canada at bay and frustrated until England were penalised, and Burk struck her second penalty to make the score 10-6 at half-time.

Canada took the upper hand after the break with England conceding too many penalties and in the end Canada got the ball out wide to centre Amanda Thornborough. That try handed the hosts the lead for the first time in the game.

England got back into the match and were unlucky not to score from a line-out and drive. Scarratt also missed a 34 metre penalty but in the end England took back the lead when powerful flanker Fisher made a break from a line-out. She was brought down five metres from the try line but Amber Reed recycled the ball out to replacement hooker Amy Cokayne who touched down to score her first ever try for England.

With the score 11-15 in England‘s favour on 62 minutes, England then found themselves clinging on to the win with Burk adding a third penalty to make the score 14-15 with nine minute left of play. Her fourth attempt in the last minute of the game was not as successful with the ball sailing wide, leaving England able to take home the win.

England

15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) C

14 Kay Wilson (Thurrock)

13 Claire Allan (Richmond)

12 Ceri Large (Worcester)

11 Lydia Thompson (Worcester)

10 Emily Scott (Thurrock)

9 Leanne Riley (Saracens)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

2 Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens)

3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield)

4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

5 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

6 Heather Fisher (Thurrock)

7 Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)

8 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)

Replacements:

16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield)

17 Vicky Cornborough (Richmond)

18 Laura Keates (Worcester)

19 Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

20 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) C

21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester)

22 Amber Reed (Bristol)

23 Sarah McKenna (Saracens)

Tries: Wilson (2), Cokayne

Substitutions: Cokayne for Fleetwood (40), Keates for :Lucas (40), Cornborough for Clark (50), A Scott for Burnfield (50), Reed for Large (60), Blackburn for Riley (60), Hunter for Gallagher (68), McKenna for Allan (70)

Rugby Super Series Fixtures

27 June 2015

England 39-13 USA

Canada 22-40 New Zealand

Calgary Rugby Park

1 July 2015

England 7-26 NZ

Canada 28-36 USA

Red Deer Titans Park

5 July 2015

New Zealand 47-14 USA

England 15-14 Canada

Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton

Rugby World Cup winner Scarratt, who scored 16 points against Canada in the 21-9 World Cup final, takes over the captaincy armband from Sarah Hunter who will start the game on the bench.

Source: World Rugby

Claire Allan

Scarratt switches from centre to fullback for this match and she is one of seven changes to the starting line-up. Claire Allan, who was called up to the squad on Wednesday as injury cover, will make her tour debut in place of Scarratt in the centre. Worcester’s Ceri Large will also start at 12 while Emily Scott returns at fly-half after an injury to Megan Jones.

In the pack, Richmond’s Rowena Burnfield has been given the nod in the second row while Heather Fisher and Hannah Gallagher start in place of Marlie Packer and Hunter.

England Head Coach Simon Middleton, whose side are looking to pick up their second and final win of the series after defeat to New Zealand on Wednesday, said: “Emily will take over as captain from Sarah and that was one of the reason’s she was vice-captain for the game against New Zealand. Like Sarah, she has great leadership qualities, the players listen to her and she has great game understanding so I am sure she’ll make a big impression in this new role.”

“As you’d expect with a tournament like this, with three games in eight days, we have picked up some injuries and that has forced us to make changes. A lot of players have also had a lot of game time, like Sarah Hunter and Sarah McKenna, so we need to manage them appropriately and this time we’ll use them to make an impact off the bench. We also have a lot of quality in the backrow with Heather Fisher, Alex Matthews and Hannah Gallagher starting.”

“Claire Allan, who flew out to Canada just a couple of days ago, will start after Katie Mason and Fiona Pocock suffered injuries. She is an experienced player, who can play on the wing or in the centre, so I expect her to fit easily in.”

“Playing Canada 11 months on from the World Cup will be very different. Both sides are in a rebuilding phase now so you cannot compare it to the Word Cup final. We were disappointed to lose to New Zealand in the week, but I am sure Canada will also be disappointed with their two defeats. That, however, makes them dangerous. Our challenge will be to win the physical battle with our emphasis on performance.”

England

15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) C

14 Kay Wilson (Thurrock)

13 Claire Allan (Richmond)

12 Ceri Large (Worcester)

11 Lydia Thompson (Worcester)

10 Emily Scott (Thurrock)

9 Leanne Riley (Saracens)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

2 Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens)

3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield)

4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

5 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

6 Heather Fisher (Thurrock)

7 Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)

8 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)

Replacements:

16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield)

17 Vicky Cornborough (Richmond)

18 Laura Keates (Worcester)

19 Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

20 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester)

22 Amber Reed (Bristol)

23 Sarah McKenna (Saracens)

Rugby Super Series Fixtures

27 June 2015

England 39-13 USA

Canada 22-40 New Zealand

Calgary Rugby Park

1 July 2015

England 7-26 NZ

Canada 28-36 USA

Red Deer Titans Park

July 5

New Zealand v USA, KO 11pm BST

England v Canada, 1.30am BST (July 6)

Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton

All matches can be watched live here 

The Black Ferns proved too dominant for this developing England side, running in two tries while the experienced Kendra Cocksedge kicked 16 points.

England, who had beaten the USA 39-13 on Saturday, started well with powerful No. 8 Alexandra Matthews claiming the first try of the day on 16 minutes after wing Lydia Thompson set her up for a break, which Emily Scarratt converted putting England 6-7 ahead after two earlier Cocksedge penalties.

New Zealand responded well and soon capitalised with a strong line-out and drive. England held firm until a missed tackle saw fly-half Victoria Subritski-Nafatali sneak through and score under the posts. Cocksedge made easy work of the conversion before adding a third penalty just before half-time handing the Black Ferns a 16-7 lead.

After the break, the fierce battle continued between these two rivals. In a very close game, both sides squandered opportunities close to the try line but in the end New Zealand were the more savvy and edged further ahead with another Cocksedge penalty.

In the final minutes, matters then worsened for England with fullback Selica Winiata running in for a last-gasp try thanks to some good work by fly-half Subritski-Nafatali. Cocksedge added the extras to make the final score 26-7.

Head Coach Simon Middleton, whose side will now take on hosts Canada in the final game of the Rugby Super Series on Sunday, said: “We played with enormous energy and enthusiasm but our execution and composure were not where they needed to be and the Black Ferns showed a ruthless touch on the opportunities we gave them.”

“However, we came here to find out about individuals and the team and there’s nothing like a defeat followed by a short turn around to challenge players both mentally and physically so we will regroup and prepare for what will be another huge Test match versus Canada.”

England

15 Sarah McKenna (Saracens)

14 Kay Wilson (Thurrock)

13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) VC

12 Amber Reed (Bristol)

11 Lydia Thompson (Worcester)

10 Megan Jones (Bristol)

9 Leanne Riley (Saracens)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

2 Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens)

3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield)

4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

5 Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) C

7 Marlie Packer (Wasps)

8 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)

Replacements:

16 Vicky Cornborough (Richmond)

17 Laura Keates (Worcester)

18 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield)

19 Heather Fisher (Thurrock)

20 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester)

22 Emily Scott (Thurrock)

23 Ceri Large (Worcester)

Tries: Matthews

Conversions: Scarratt

Substitutions: Fisher for Packer (25), Scott for Jones (40), Keates for Lucas (60), Cokayne for Fleetwood (60), Cornborough for Clark (60), Large for Reed (60), Burnfield for Hunter (70), Blackburn for Riley (70)

Rugby Super Series Fixtures

27 June 2015

England 39-13 USA

Canada 22-40 New Zealand

Calgary Rugby Park

1 July 2015

England 7-26 NZ

Canada 28-36 USA

Red Deer Titans Park

5 July July 2015

New Zealand v USA, KO 11pm BST

England v Canada, 1.30am BST (July 6)

Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton

All matches can be watched live here