And she is looking forward to potentially facing the world champion Black Ferns but she insisted: “They are just another rugby team and I am going to enjoy it. I have a lot to learn but it’s exciting to start the tour so well.”

Winger Emily Cooke also scored two tries in a victory that goes some way to erasing the Six Nations’ defeat to France.

Richards enthused: “All the hard work over the past week has paid off. I thought we moved our game on to a higher level. I’m delighted for Shannon. You always remember your debut but to score three tries is outstanding.”

England were 15-6 up at half-time thanks to Shannon’s first try from Jenny Sutton’s line-out take and scores from Cooke and full-back Sue Day, who was put away by Karen Andrew.

Andrew’s kicking boots deserted her as she landed just two conversions from seven attempts but it hardly mattered as Helen Clayton scored from a line-out, followed by Cooke and Baker – twice- to seal victory.

Canada’s only try came from scrum-half Tamara Curtis, while Kelly McCallum kicked two penalties to leave coach Dave Mays reflecting: “It was an excellent performance by England. They played the system very well, maintaining possession with good set pieces and a solid scrum.

“For next weekend we are going to look at some of the other players. We are working towards the next World Cup and you don’t know what you have got until you try them.”

Canada Women: Christie Thompson; Julie Foster, Maria Gallo, Sarah Ulmer, Colette McAuley; Kelly McCallum; Tamara Curtis; Leslie Cripps, Jennifer Boyd, Sheila Turner, Araba Chintoh, Rania Burns, Raquel Eldridge, Gillian Florence (capt), Maureen McMahon: Replacements used: Heather MacDonald, Katie Murray, Dawn MacDonald, Julia Sugawara, Kristy Heemskerk.

Scorers: Try – Curtis; Pens – McCallum (2).

England: Sue Day (Kim Shaylor 75); Nicky Crawford, Nicki Jupp, Assunta De Biase (Shelley Rae 75), Emily Cooke; Karen Andrew, Jo Yapp (Susie Appleby 75); Sharon Whitehead, Selena Rudge (Amy Garnett 77), Maxine Edwards (capt, Vanessa Huxford 62), Jenny Sutton, Jenny Lyne (Rachel Vickers 62), Shannon Baker, Helen Clayton, Georgia Stevens (Karen Jones 75).

Scorers: Tries – Baker (3), Cooke (2), Clayton, Day; Cons – Andrew (2).

Referee: Ed Gardner (USA).