Warriors Women had eight players on international duty this weekend as the autumn international calendar gathered pace.
Paige Farries helped Canada to a 26-13 victory over USA on Friday, their second win against the States in the space of three days to seal the Pacific Four Series title. Ranked number-three in the world, Canada now prepare to take on England at the Stoop next Sunday, with the Red Roses having already secured back-to-back triumphs against the Black Ferns at Sandy Park and Franklin’s Gardens respectively.
Lydia Thompson and Alex Matthews both started the Red Roses’ record-breaking 56-15 win at the Gardens as Player of the Match Amy Cokayne scored a hat-trick. The result surpassed last week’s record victory and underlines England’s supremacy, with less than a year to go until the World Cup. What a month it has been for Flo Long too, the young prop having gained crucial experience in the England camp. Long was named as non-playing reserve for both games against the Black Ferns.
Wales against Japan in Cardiff wrapped up the weekend, with Warriors players on both sides as the hosts ran out 23-5 victors. Caryl Thomas started for Wales, while Minori Yamamoto was at fly-half for Japan. Carys Phillips came on to make her first appearance for Wales in over two years, with club teammates Ffion Lewis and Alex Callender also making an impact from the bench. Scrum-half Lewis looked particularly sharp at the breakdown when she came on as the Welsh pushed home their advantage.
Yamamoto will go up against Lana Skeldon and Lyndsay O’Donnell next week when Japan take on Scotland in Edinburgh (kick-off 4.10pm).
England round off their autumn international campaign at Sixways on Sunday 21 November against USA, with tickets still available by clicking here.
Canada 26-13 USA
England 56-15 New Zealand
Wales 23-5 Japan