England turn over Canada at Twickenham

England exacted their revenge on Canada with a dominant 39-6 win at Twickenham on Saturday. Once again it was the breakdown that proved costly, with numerous turnovers allowing England to counter-attack with lethal consequences. While Canada were clearly affected by fatigue playing their third game in a span of only eight days, the lack of urgency and accuracy in securing possession will be a major work-on for coach François Ratier and his charges ahead of next year’s World Cup.

The home side looked in fine fettle early as Emily Scarratt broke clean through the line and nearly scored herself. A desperate Julianne Zussman tackle stopped the towering centre short, but the ball was recycled and flanker Alex Matthews powered over for the first try.

Canada twice moved into scoring position but failed to score points, instead handing over the ball to keen defenders. England meanwhile were clinical. From a lineout just inside the Canadian 22 metre line, a clean take from Tamara Taylor gave the forwards a perfect target to set the maul and once is got going there was no stopping it. Amy Cokayne came up with the ball at the end and despite Emily Scott missing the conversion England were two scores clear.

Andrea Burk finally got Canada on the board in the 34th minute but then came a moment of individual brilliance from England. Danielle Waterman broke through three tacklers and stepped two more on the way to a scintillating score from halfway. Burk sent over another penalty before the halftime whistle sounded but Canada were already slipping away with heavy legs.

The second half was much the same as the first. Canada would attack with multiple phases and then inevitably the turnover would come and England would be away in a flash. Kay Wilson, Emily Scarratt, Lydia Thompson, and Claire Allen all touched down from breakouts with quick hands and close support enough to get the job done.

It’s a winter of gym work for Canada before World Cup preparations kick into high gear. England have the Six Nations to look forward to with France snapping at their heels and visions of another world title buzzing about in their dreams.

 

SCORING

ENGLAND 39
Tries – A. Matthews (8’), A. Cokayne (26’), D. Waterman (39’), K. Wilson (46’), E. Scarratt (56’), L. Thompson (54’), C. Allen (64’)
Cons – E. Scott (47’, 55’)

CANADA 6
Pens – A. Burk 2 (34’, 40’)

 

TEAMS

ENGLAND
1 Rochelle Clark, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Harriet Millar-Mills, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Izzy Noel-Smith, 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.), 9 La Toya Mason, 10 Emily Scott, 11 Kay Wilson, 12 Rachael Burford, 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Lydia Thompson, 15 Danielle Waterman

16 Emma Croker, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Poppy Cleall, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Megan Jones, 23 Claire Allan

CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen, 2 Laura Russell, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Latoya Blackwood, 6 Kelly Russell (capt.), 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Jacey Grusnick, 9 Chelsea Guthrie, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Magali Harvey, 12 Andrea Burk, 13 Alex Tessier, 14 Brittany Waters, 15 Julianne Zussman

16 Gillian Boag, 17 Demi Stamatakis, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Kayla Mack, 20 Barbara Mervin, 21 Elissa Alarie, 22 Mackenzie Higgs, 23 Frédérique Rajotte

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Alhambra Nievas (FER)
Assistants: Claire Hodnett (RFU) & Sarah Toll (RFU)
TMO: Keith Lewis (RFU)