An eight-player shove in the scrum turned around things for England, and a startling physical display made for another upset for France as the 2019 Women's Super Series entered Round 3.

After beating France four days ago, Canada was feeling pretty good, and looked like they might pull off another big win over England. 

England 19 Canada 17

The Canadians fronted up nicely against the Red Roses, making tackles and getting to the break down quickly. The result was a 0-0 score through 20 minutes, but England started to get frustrated. That led to some penalties, and a very long period for Canada attacking inside the England 22.

And after a warning for too many penalties near the tryline, England finally broke as the Canada forwards punched it through with lock Tyson Buekeboom getting the honors. The conversion came off the post and that would come back to haunt Canada.

Canada held that 5-0 lead into the second half, but in that second half Canada got a yellow card for a dangerous clearout by flanker Gabby Senft. England looked to score but turned the ball over in the Canadian 22, and fullback Elissa Alarie broke through and fed wing Paige Farries and she was gone in under the posts for a 12-0 lead.

Watch England vs Canada On-Demand

England regrouped nicely, though, and started to see ascendency in the scrum. A drive-over attempt ended with a penalty try for England, and that kind of changed the momentum. And right after the restart, England won scrum ball against the head, drove forward, and then spun it wide to wing Kelly Smith.

The wing ducked out of some imprecise Canada tackling and was in at the corner. Emily Scarratt hit the tough conversion to give her side the lead 14-12.

Unbowed, Canada pressured once more and close to the line quick hands set up Farries for her second. Canada 17 England 14 with just over 20 minutes to go.

England had time, and made it work. They weathered a yellow card, and then went a player up when Canada was carded for a professional foul. That penalty led to a scrum and the England pack shoved it over. No. 8 and captain Sarah Hunter touched it down, and England led 19-17.

That was it. England held on thanks to strength in the pack, and contained Canada's dangerous backs. But it was tough going.

France 25 New Zealand 16

France upset New Zealand 25-16 with a hugely physical effort. New Zealand didn't score a try until late in the game, and it was a penalty try, in fact. Kendra Cocksedge's goalkicking kept them in the game.

But France got on the board first. The forwards got it started but it was an insane offload from fullback Jessy Tremouliere to wing Caroline Boujard, and an insane sidestep from Boujard that took the wing over the line. 

Tremouliere missed the conversion, barely, but hit a penalty right after, and then 15 minutes in the Black Ferns were in real trouble. Tremouliere missed another penalty attempt, but the ball hit the post and center Maelle Filopon was the first to the ball. She evaded three tacklers and scored. Suddenly it was 15-0 France.

Watch France vs New Zealand On-Demand

New Zealand battled back, but France can defend and did so doggedly. Cocksedge kicked a penalty, but Tremouliere replied with one of her own. Cocksedge added another but at halftime it was 18-6.

The offloaded from New Zealand players weren't going to hand the way they had against the USA and Canada, and France kept hitting them—hard. 

Another Cocksedge penalty put her side within nine at 18-9, but then France struck again. Cocksedge kicked to touch on a penalty, but the ball didn't make it to the sideline. France countered and Elise Pignot sped around the edge and then passed inside to the always dangerous Tremouliere. She did the rest.

At 25-9, the game seemed down, and it was. New Zealand couldn't crack the France defense, and Les Bleus held on 25-16.

All Scores And Standings

New Zealand still leads the Super Series, but at 2-1, now knows the game against England is a must-win. Canada at 1-2 must feel a little unlucky, but can finish off July 10 against the USA. France has England and the USA left, and despite the loss to Canada, could still win it all.