Canada produced a comprehensive showing of their Rugby World Cup title credentials to inflict more misery on Wales and leave them staring down the barrel of elimination from the tournament.

Kévin Rouet’s side were widely expected to win Group B and qualify with minimal fuss but even compared to those pre-tournament expectations, this was a very impressive showing. They were far too strong for a Welsh side whose hopes of qualification felt doomed after last weekend’s heavy defeat to Scotland.

Sean Lynn berated his side after that loss and they were once again comfortably second best here against a Canadian group who look capable of going all the way after their first two outings. They rode out an early spell of Welsh pressure before coasting out to a 28-0 lead by half-time, securing the bonus point with four wonderful tries.

Two more followed after the break to ensure a comfortable and emphatic victory, and ensure that a win for Scotland against Fiji would wrap up any debate over who qualifies from Group B, with Canada and Scotland in a shootout for top spot next weekend and leaving Wales playing for pride against Fiji.

Wales began well but failed to make any of their early pressure count and Canada punished them in a brutal spell of attacking rugby. Their first real opportunity yielded the game’s opening try through prop McKinley Hunt before winger Alysha Corrigan finished a superb team move five minutes later to double their lead.

They went further ahead as Hunt forced her way over the line for Canada’s third before a minute later, Asia Hogan-Rochester scampered through some poor Welsh defending. With Sophie de Goede converting all four tries, Canada were well on their way to victory.

The first try after half-time felt crucial. Had Wales claimed it there would have been the prospect of a contest but instead, the Canadian momentum from the opening 40 minutes continued. Wales’ cause wasn’t helped when Georgia Kelly was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle and two minutes later, Taylor Perry crossed for Canada’s fifth try.

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Their sixth try then arrived three minutes later through prop Brittany Kassil and had Wales been in possession of a white flag at that point, you suspect they would have waved it. To their credit, they dug in throughout the final quarter and didn’t concede any more points, but their race – and qualification hopes – had long since evaporated.