In a breathtaking display of attacking rugby, the Red Roses delivered a commanding performance at a rain-swept Twickenham, overpowering Canada with a formidable 50-24 victory in the WXV tournament. The match was electrified by the sheer brilliance of full-back Ellie Kildunne, who cemented her status as a superstar with a devastating first-half hat-trick.
The home side wasted no time, exploding into action with three tries in the opening eleven minutes. Kildunne was the architect of the onslaught, slicing through the Canadian defence with breathtaking pace and agility. Her first score came from a clever inside pass from Meg Jones, a partnership that would prove lethal throughout the half.
Jones, instrumental in the fly-half role, was the creative heartbeat of the team. She not only provided the assists for two of Kildunne's tries but also crossed the whitewash herself, capitalising on a clever offload from the unstoppable Sadia Kabeya. The relentless pressure from the English pack, dominating the set-piece and breakdown, provided a perfect platform for the backs to run riot.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Canada refused to capitulate. They showcased their own attacking prowess with two well-worked tries from winger Paige Farries and a powerful effort from number eight Sophie de Goede. However, their efforts were consistently undone by a disciplined and ruthless English side.
Any hope of a Canadian comeback was extinguished early in the second half. Replacement hooker Connie Powell crashed over from a driving maul, and Kildunne added a fourth try to her personal tally, showcasing her individual brilliance with a dazzling run from her own half. The victory was a powerful statement of intent from the world's number-one-ranked team, demonstrating a potent mix of forward power and breathtaking backline flair that will send a warning to all their rivals.
