Centre Sue Day grabbed a hat-trick of tries as England reached the World Cup final with a handsome 53-10 win over Canada.

Captain Paula George's side finally showed the form which saw them touted as potential champions to book a showdown against New Zealand who defeated France 30-0.

A powerful display in Girona, north-east Spain, yielded four tries in each half as England's forward dominance swept aside the Canadians.

The match was as good as over at the interval with England leading 31-5.

Emily Feltham and Nicola Crawford both finished with two tries apiece, with Assunta de Baise notching the other score.

Fly-half Shelley Rae added two conversions and three penalties for a 13-point personal haul.

Canada were limited to tries either side of half-time for Colette McAuley and Sherri Sparling, but Day's second and third tries completed the English rout.

"We knew we were capable of playing good football," said a relieved England coach Geoff Richards. "I was very pleased that the team stuck to the game plan."

Richards singled out stalwart Gill Burns, a veteran of all four women's World Cups, for special praise.

"Gill was outstanding," he added. "She is a giant in the women's game and she is still playing like a spring chicken."

Wallaroos triumph

While England contemplate a second World Cup victory in four attempts, Canada must settle for a third place play-off on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Australia overcame two-time champions the USA 17-5 to book their place in the fifth place play-off, and leave the 1998 runners-up fighting for seventh.

Wales scored 21 unanswered second-half points to see off a determined Italy 35-13 at Santboiana.

The Welsh now contest ninth spot with Samoa, who edged out Kazakhstan 9-5 in a tense finale, fly-half Oka Autagavaia notching her third penalty with the last kick of the match.

In the battle for the minor places, Ireland beat Germany 18-0, while Japan were 37-3 victors over the Netherlands.

Third round results:

England 53-10 Canada
Australia 17-5 USA
Germany 0-18 Ireland
Netherlands 3-37 Japan
Samoa 9-5 Kazakhstan
Wales 35-3 Italy.

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