WORCESTER'S Pat Sanderson scored a try as England struggled to a hugely disappointing 29-5 win over Canada in the Churchill Cup.
Warriors' new-recruit Andy Gomarsall was particularly off-colour in England's below-par showing and was replaced mid-way through the second- half by Gloucester's Peter Richards.
After a sloppy start, England scored their first try of the match after 20 minutes. Centre James Simpson-Daniel found Wasps' winger Paul Sackey who touched down for the first try of the match.
Five minutes later Andy Goode kicked a superb cross-field ball to find his Leicester club mate Sam Vesty for England's second try.
England brought on the fresh legs of Tom Voyce at full-back in the second-half and within minutes he evaded seven Canadian players to touch down.
Louis Deacon, Canada's Louis Tait and Goode were all sin-binned in a five-minute spell as the game threatened to boil over.
However, Simpson-Daniel and skipper Sanderson added late tries for England, while Aaron Carpenter scored a late consolation for Canada.
In Sunday's other Churchill Cup game, Argentina beat the USA with an over-time try as the Pumas won 34-30 and will now meet England in next Sunday's final.
"With Canada you can always expect a big physical contest and that's exactly what we got," said England skipper Sanderson. "Now we've got to concentrate on Argentina but it could so easily have been the USA.
"Argentina have really come on just recently and they gave the Lions a fright at the Millennium Stadium, but I still think we can win the cup.
"This is a talented squad we've brought together and personally I'm just looking to cement my position for the future."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article