Summary

  • England score seven tries to beat Canada 51-12 at Twickenham Stoop

  • World number one side England have now won 17 matches in a row

  • Claudia MacDonald scores two tries as England win second half 31-0

  • Sarah Bern and debutant Heather Cowell also score twice

  • Alex Matthews comes on to score the other England try

  • Canada pushed England hard with two tries in first half

  1. Goodbyepublished at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    Another week, another win for England.

    They're up to 17 now and will try to make it 18 against the United States next Sunday. That one kicks off at 14:45 GMT in Worcester and we'll have live text commentary as well as live coverage on BBC Two again.

    In the meantime, catch up on the Canada win with Mike Henson's match report.

    Leanne Infante and Claudia MacDonald celebrate a tryImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'We need squad depth to win World Cup' - Hunterpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    England captain Sarah Hunter said on BBC Two: "We knew we would get a test from Canada, we always do. The score does not reflect how that game felt, there were patches where we had to really fight for it.

    "It's great we managed to get back on track, get that momentum and from 1 to 23 we managed to get that win.

    "[Head coach] Simon [Middleton] has always said about needing two, three or four people for each position

    "If we want to win a World Cup we have to have the squad depth, you cannot rely on 15 players.

    "That breeds that competitive nature, if you are better, your competitor will be better and hopefully that makes a better England team."

    Sarah Hunter celebrates with Sarah BernImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'Just what England needed'published at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    Maggie Alphonsi
    2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Two

    They are growing, there is so much talent and good players in this team. Games like this is what they need, coming from behind and learning how to win.

  4. 'I was nervous this morning' - Middletonpublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    England head coach Simon Middleton said on BBC Two: "I am thrilled that was a really good Test match and the score does not tell the whole story.

    "There will be a few changes next week, we have a strategic plan we will stick to,.

    "I was a bit nervous this morning as I knew this was a going to be a big game. I am really looking forward to the USA so let's see if we can make it 18 in a row."

    Claudia MacDonald celebrates a tryImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    The TV cameras squeeze their way into the middle of England's huddle.

    Leanne Infante screams into the camera in celebration, before Sarah Hunter gets serious with a post-match team talk.

  6. 'Keep watching us' - Bernpublished at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    Player of the match Sarah Bern backs up that impression of a happy England camp in her BBC Two interview.

    "We're really together," she says. "We have those fun times on the coach and in the team room. All I can say is keep watching us."

    But Bern also notes how high the competition is in the squad.

    "On the way here I was like just enjoy it," she adds.

    "Enjoy getting on that bus with the girls because you never know when it might not be that day to get the shirt or you pick up an injury.

    "From my smile you can tell I had a good time. It's really exciting. For the first time we have a challenge in every single shirt."

    Sarah BernImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    England's players all give each other a smile and a hug as they celebrate that one. They are so well-drilled on the pitch and look like they are a happy camp off it.

    And so they should be after two years of winning rugby.

  8. Postpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    Natasha Hunt
    World Cup-winning England scrum-half on BBC Two

    The desire and the intent to keep Canada out in those last few minutes is eastly what you want to see as a coach. Such good heart from the girls.

  9. Full-timepublished at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: England 51-12 Canada

    Zoe Harrison kicks the ball out to bring the game to an end.

    It is a 17th straight win for England and they've done it in the most dominant fashion in that second half.

  10. Postpublished at 80 mins

    England 51-12 Canada

    Knock-on. The ball returns to English possession. They'll take a scrum as the clock goes red.

  11. Postpublished at 80 mins

    England 51-12 Canada

    Abbie Ward tries to lift Canada off the ball on the floor, but she can't get at it.

    The visitors are still going as the clock ticks down.

  12. Postpublished at 79 mins

    England 51-12 Canada

    Canada look desperate for another score and are straight back at England's defence.

    The Red Roses look just as desperate to keep them out and they are so far.

  13. Postpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    England 51-12 Canada

    Dylan Hartley
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    Great recognizing of the space because there are two nines playing together. Their timing is perfect. When you have a nine and a nine working together, there is only one outcome.

  14. converted try

    Converted try - England 51-12 Canadapublished at 76 mins

    Claudia MacDonald (Con Harrison)

    Yes.

    Leanne Infante opts to go down the blind-side of the scrum and scrum-half-turned-wing Claudia MacDonald is nippy enough to make her way over the tryline.

    An excellent conversion from Zoe Harrison over on the left brings 50 up for England.

    Claudia MacDonaldImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 75 mins

    England 44-12 Canada

    Canada are penalised at the scrum and Zoe Harrison kicks to the corner once more.

    One more try before full-time...?

  16. Postpublished at 75 mins

    England 44-12 Canada

    The Canadians put up a big challenge in the first half, but they cannot compete with England's strength in depth.

    Impenetrable replacement Marlie Packer wins a penalty on the floor and England relaunch their attack before Sarah McKenna's knock-on brings it to an end.

  17. Postpublished at 73 mins

    England 44-12 Canada

    England were ruthless against New Zealand and I am sure they would enjoy reaching 50 points today.

    They will have to halt Canada's attack first, though, with the visitors hovering around the 22.

  18. Postpublished at 16:07 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    England 44-12 Canada

    Natasha Hunt
    World Cup-winning England scrum-half on BBC Two

    Lovely option from Zoe Harrison, really good pick and a fantastic finish from Alex Matthews to get through that hole.

  19. try

    Converted try - England 44-12 Canadapublished at 71 mins

    Alex Matthews (Con Harrison)

    And she takes it all the way.

    England recycle the ball and Alex Matthews finds herself with it in the centre of the field. Her sevens prowess means she has all the space and pace she needs to sprint through the middle and under the posts.

    Poppy Cleall's 91-year-old grandma Doreen cheerfully waves her flag in the front row.

    Zoe Harrison gets another conversion.

    Alex MatthewsImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    England 37-12 Canada

    "Go, go!" shout Canada as they opt for a quick-tap penalty.

    Claudia MacDonald takes a ball well in the air and suddenly Alex Matthews is through!