Ruthless Canada outclass Scotland in WXV opener

Tries: Gibson 2, Apps 2, Kassil, Omokhuale, Perry, Pelletier, Senft, Bauder Cons: Gallagher 7

World Cup finalists Canada proved too strong for Scotland as they ran in 10 tries to register a resounding win in their WXV Series opener in Edinburgh.

Canada struck early when a brilliant offload from hooker Kiki Idowu found Rachel Smith on the charge and left the Scottish defence scrambling.

The 2025 World Cup runners-up held out for multiple phases on their own line before Lizzie Gibson found the gap to dive over for the opening try.

They quickly scored a second when scrum-half Olivia Apps darted over in the corner.

Scotland needed a response and they got it when Evie Gallagher – on her first Test appearance since last year's World Cup - blasted over from close range to bring the hosts back within five points.

The response was swift, however, as Gibson sliced through for her second try to re-establish Canada's 12-points lead.

Brittanny Kassil – who would receive a 20-minute red card after the break for a high shot on Meryl Smith - and Julia Omokhuale blasted over from close range for two tries in quick succession as the Canadians started to flex their muscles.

The Scots gave the home crowd something to cheer with their second try.

Debutant Rhea Clarke did brilliantly to strip opposite number Apps in contact. She set Gallagher free and she held off two tackles before finding Shona Campbell on her shoulder to score.

Fly-half Taylor Perry extinguished any hopes of a Scottish fightback as she sliced through the midfield untouched for Canada's sixth try early in the second half.

The Scots were tiring and Apps carved them open with a lovely little show-and-go to streak away and go in under the sticks.

Hooker Lana Skeldon burrowed over for Scotland's third try, but substitute Justine Pelletier responded in kind almost immediately.

Helen Nelson dinked a wonderful little kick over the Canada defence and into the arms of Rhona Lloyd to go over for Scotland's fourth, but Gabrielle Senft powered over and substitute Savannah Bauder scored a fabulous individual try on her Test debut to ensure Canada had the last word.

The Scots face New Zealand at Hive Stadium next Saturday (17:10 BST), while Canada face England at Sandy Park in a re-run of last year's World Cup final on the same day (15:00).

Scotland: C Rollie, R Lloyd, R Phillips, M Smith, S Campbell, H Nelson, R Clarke; L Bartlett, L Skeldon, E Clarke, E Wassell, H Cunningham, R Malcolm (c), E Gallagher, B Boyd.

Replacements: A Sutcliffe, A young, M Poolman, E Donaldson, A Ferrie, C Ainsworth, H Ramsay, K Buchanan.

Canada: C Gallagher, F Bermudez, F Symonds, A Tessier (c), C Williams, T Perry, O Apps; B Kassil, K Idowu, D Menin, R Smith, L Royer, J Omokhuale, L Gibson, G Senft.

Replacements: E Tuttosi, S McDonald, B Rempel, S De Goede, P Buisa, J Pelletier, S Bauder, A Hogan-Rochester.