Prop Rod Snow scored one of Canada's six tries

The win in St John's Newfoundland means that Canada will take their place in Pool B to face Wales, Australia, Fiji and Asia 1, likely to be Japan.

Wing James Pritchard scored three of Canada's seven tries in a fine display.

The Eagles now face a play-off against Uruguay for the last Americas spot and a place in Pool A alongside England, South Africa, Samoa and one other.

Canada took control from the opening kick-off against their North American rivals.

Pritchard's 36 points from three tries, three penalties and five conversions broke the 29-point Canada single-game record he set against Barbados in his last match.

Prop Rod Snow, who played club rugby for 10 years in Wales for Newport and the Dragons, also scored a try in front of his hometown crowd.

Canada coach Ric Suggitt was delighted with his side's performance, but warned they would face a sterner test in their World Cup pool.

They will have an early chance to test themselves against Wales when they travel to Cardiff to face Gareth Jenkins' side on 17 November.

"At times we played some excellent rugby but the next level is a huge jump," Suggitt said.

"We have to continue to improve because when we go to play Wales and Italy in November, we'll have to be even better than this."