Atkin-Davies leads way in Red Roses’ win

England winger Claudia MacDonald (left) and Canada winger Paige Farries compete for the ball during the WXV 1 match at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH

The Red Roses’ rolling maul has run rampant.

WXV 1 has kicked off in Dunedin, with England beating Canada 45-12 at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.

English hooker Lark Atkin-Davies was unstoppable, scoring four tries off the back of her side’s trademark rolling maul.

The Red Roses were brutal up front, using their set piece effectively, and shut down Canada on defence.

Canada tested world No 1 England in the first half but struggled to capitalise on anything in their 22 in the second.

England fullback Ellie Kildunne scored the first try, after Canada made a mess of things at the back.

Holly Aitchison put a threatening grubber through 10m out, but Canada struggled to ground the ball, leaving the quick-thinking Kildunne to come steaming through and stick her hand out to score.

Canada finally made it into their 22, stringing together 10 phases and threatening the line.

That hard work was undone when Aitchison was deemed to deliberately knock the ball down, resulting in her heading to the bin and Canada heading for a lineout.

They made no mistake, punishing England with a rolling maul and scoring through hooker Emily Tuttosi.

The Red Roses hit back the same way, storming over Canada’s defence for Atkin-Davies to dot down.

She scored again bang on halftime to push England out to a 21-5 lead.

England struggled at first after the break, looking static on attack and fumbling the ball.

Canada pounced, swinging the ball wide to Paige Farries who sped away to score.

Young rugby fans enjoy themselves at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.

But England dominated the rest of the quarter. Alex Matthews made some robust carries and put in some big hits.

Atkin-Davies banged down twice more in the space of eight minutes — one against 14 players when Canadian replacement Julia Schell was in the bin for head-on-head contact in the tackle — to take control 33-12.

After keeping the ball tight, Kildunne set the game alight, setting up two tries through her explosive speed. She burned Canada’s defence down the right, and dished off to Jess Breach to score.

Kildunne replicated it minutes later, but after breaking through the line, threw it wide to the left wing where Claudia Macdonald ran away to put England out to 45-12.

Canada had chances in the final moments but were unable to make their passes stick.