Host Canada dominates France 46-24 to open WXV 1 tournament

Canada's women's 15s rugby squad opened its WXV 1 tournament with a dominant 46-24 victory over France on Sunday.

Fancy Bermudez and Laetitia Royer each scored a pair of tries for the world No. 3 Canadians, while Paige Farries, Emily Tuttosi and Asia Hogan-Rochester each contributed one apiece.

Alex Tessier booted four conversions and a penalty kick for the home nation, who are hosting the international tournament for the first time.

Earlier on Sunday, No. 1 England thumped the eighth-ranked U.S. 61-21 in the first game of the tournament. No. 2 New Zealand is set to battle No. 7 Ireland in the final game of the opening day's action.

Play will continue in Langley, B.C., next weekend before returning to B.C. Place on Oct. 11 and 12.

Canada wasted little time in establishing itself against France on Sunday.

Four minutes in, Shoshanah Seumanutafa escaped a tackle and dished off to Farries, who took a few steps and stretched over the goal line for the first try of the afternoon. Tessier booted the convert and the home side took an early 7-0 lead.

France replied with a big push up the pitch and Canada held them off until the eighth minute when Jacquet tossed the ball to Llorens at the far sideline. Llorens dove in to get France on the board and Jacquet added a convert to tie the game at 7-7.

The two nations traded chances until Bermudez scored in the 22nd minute. The Canadian right wing collected a pass and slipped through a pair of French defenders before diving over the goal line to touch. Tessier added two points and Canada went up 14-7.

The inside pass, the finish from Fancy Bermudez