WORCESTER winger Sam Bree was at the heart of England Women Under 20s' 45-0 Nations Cup win over Canada, running in four tries.

Captain Marlie Packer, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks' Rose Fong and Kettering's Lizell Heather also touched down as England began the defence of their trophy in emphatic style at Brunel University.

Sixways star Bree opened the scoresheet early on with England showing their power and pace through the midfield. Bree then finished off the move in the left corner with just three minutes gone.

Canada immediately hit back with some concerted pressure and they kept England off the score sheet until the 17th minute. Their efforts, however, came to nothing with England's defence too strong, and then fly half Claire Garner slotting home a penalty.

Centre Fong edged England into a 13-0 lead after a good break by Natasha Hunt who drove hard through the midfield and got the ball out to Fong on the right wing. Garner added the conversion before a second penalty minutes later.

Bree secured her brace of tries just before the break when some good pressure by England set her loose and handed the home side a comfortable 23-0 lead at half-time.

Canada's evening worsened soon after the re-start with the sin-binning of number eight Tyson Beukeboom and England were quick to capitalise on their one player advantage with Bree running in for her hat-trick.

With some fresh legs on the field, the home side were able to keep the momentum going and this time it was skipper Packer on the score-board. The Bath flanker made the most of a charge down to touch down for a try with ease. Garner converted to take England into a 33-0 lead after 54 minutes.

Some more good work by Garner, who got the ball down the blindside to tie up Canada's defence, then saw Kettering replacement Heather cross for her first try, before Bree finished off England's convincing victory with her fourth try of the evening.