World Rugby Ranked No 2 nation, Canada, were the visitors to Ravenhill for a high noon showdown with Ireland in a Pre World Cup friendly on Saturday.

After an even opening Canada began to turn the screw. On 10 minutes, Florence Symonds found a gap to open the scoring. Sophie de Groede added the conversion for Canada to lead 7-0.

Justine Pelletier found a large hole in the Irish defence to skip in for a 14^th minute try, converted by Sophie de Groede to lead 14-0.

The Irish scrum suffered a torrid time conceding several penalties, allowing Canada’s pressure to build.

However, Ireland replied in the 20^th minute. Though double tackled Beibhinn Parsons released the ball and bounced to her feet to score in the right corner. Dannah O’Brien’s touchline conversion brought Ireland back to 7-14 on 20 minutes.

The rest of the half was Canada’s. Tries from Florence Symonds, 25 minutes, DaLeaka Menin, 33 minutes, and Paige Farries, 40 minutes, together with a pair of Sophie De Groede conversions gave Canada a commanding 33-7 halftime lead.

A 55^th minute interception try from Julia Schell, converted by Sophie de Groede, moved Canada out to 40-7.

Ireland rallied and a brace of Anna McGann tries on 59 and 62 minutes and a Dannagh O’Brien conversion brought Ireland back to 19-40.

Ireland had built up a head of steam and when Beibhinn Parsons scored her 2^nd try after 71 minutes, converted by Dannagh O’Brien, the score had moved to 26-40.

Canada closed the game out with Sophie de Groede’s try and conversion on 79 minutes to leave the fulltime score 47-26 in Canada’s favour.

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