Canada underlined their status as one of the leading contenders for the Women's Rugby World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals with a game to spare after a 42-0 thrashing of Wales.

Saturday's success in Salford saw Canada, ranked second in the world behind England, follow up their opening 65-7 Pool B hammering of Fiji with another emphatic win.

By contrast, defeat left Wales on the brink of elimination after a surprisingly heavy 38-8 loss to Scotland in their first match of the tournament.

Wales' exit will be confirmed should Scotland get any match points from their game against Fiji later Saturday.

They made an encouraging start early on against Canada but the match was over as a contest just after the half-hour mark with the North Americans' 28-0 ahead thanks to McKinley Hunt's two t

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