Top-ranked England continues rugby mastery over Canada women at WXV tourney

Hooker Lark Atkin-Davies scored four tries from the back of the driving maul as top-ranked England continued its mastery over No. 4 Canada, winning 45-12 Friday at the WXV women's rugby tournament in Dunedin, New Zealand.

England scored two late tries to lead 21-5 at the break and had its way with a tiring Canada in the second half.

The Canadian women have lost 12 straight to the Red Roses, with four of the defeats coming in the last year. England's career record against Canada improved to 32-3-1.

Canada last defeated England in July 2016 in Salt Lake City (52-17). The Red Roses have gone 74-5-0 since then, beaten only by No. 2 New Zealand (four times) and No. 3 France (once).

Canada dropped to 1-1-0 at the six-team tournament while England improved to 2-0-0. The Canadians wrap up play Wednesday against France in Auckland.

"I'm sure we'll go back and find positives, but in the moment it's just really frustrating," said Canada captain Sophie de Goede.

"We just didn't pull through with the performance we wanted today, honestly," she added.

England's power was on display with the Red Roses runners consistently making metres, often leaving the first Canadian would-be tackler in their wake. And when Canada conceded penalties, English lineouts set the platform for the five-foot-four 187-pound Atkin-Davies and the maul.

Emily Tuttosi and Page Farries scored tries for Canada at Forsyth Barr Stadium, which opened in 2011 as the world's first fully enclosed natural turf stadium. The roof was welcome given it snowed earlier in the day.

De Goede kicked a conversion.

Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breachand Claudia Macdonald also scored tries for England, a fully professional side. Helena Rowland kicked four conversions with Holly Aitchison