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 thrashing Wales 42-0.

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.

Elsewhere in Pool B, Scotland also booked their place in the last eight with a 29-15 win over Fiji -- the narrowest margin of victory in this tournament so far -- that condemned Wales to an early exit.

Wales made an encouraging start against Canada but the match was over as a contest just after the half-h

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