England 50-24 Canada: Helena Rowland and Ellie Kildunne score two tries each as Red Roses triumph

Helena Rowland scored 20 points, including two tries, while Ellie Kilnauw also had two turnovers as the Red Roses won Canada 50-24; there were also tries for Mackenzie Carson, debutant Maisy Allen and Marlie and Lucy Packer

Helena Rowland and Ellie Kilnauw scored two tries each as England defeated Canada 50-24 at Exeter’s Sandy Park in the first of their two-Test series.

Goal-kicking center Rowland collected a total of 20 points for the Red Roses, who were in action for the first time since their Grand Slam success in April.

The first points came within two minutes when Holly Aitchison’s through kick gave Kilnauw and Abby Dow the chance to combine and send Rowland to the side.

Marlie Packer added a second from a driving maul and although Justine Pelletier pulled one back, prop Mackenzie Carson crashed to restore England’s two-try cushion at 17-7.

Helena Rowland completed five conversions at Sandy Park and scored two tries

Tyson Beukeboom scored for Canada, but Kilnauw and Lucy Packer each put a dummy over to make it 31-12 at halftime.

Kiltunnel crossed again 15 minutes after halftime, but Canada rallied again, with Emily Tuttosi and Madison Grant registering scores in quick succession.

However, England extended their lead again with an excellent try when Claudia MacDonald’s touchline offload sent Rowland over to score her second before adding a fifth successful conversion.

Replacement Maisy Allen rounded off the victory with a debut try on her home ground to bring up England’s half-century.

The second and final Test will take place on Saturday, September 30.