However it Canada who scored the next try, counter attacking from deep in their own half with Moyse racing round the England defence until Shaylor caught her just short. Julie Foster was on hand though to score and bring the fans to their feet.
The try, converted by McCallum, gave Canada renewed vigour at 13-7 and they began to put England under similar pressure, forcing errors from their more fancied opponents and mounting strong attacks of the own.
England were forced to bring on the big names they had left on the bench to steady the ship and secure the victory, leaving Canadian players in tears on the field having played their hearts out but come up ultimately a bit short.
QUOTES
England coach Geoff Richards: "There were a few heart flutters going on there. We got through in the end which is what we wanted to do but it got very exciting there at the end. We should have been a lot, lot further ahead by half time, we created a lot of opportunities but didn't finish them off. Canada to a player they rose to the occasion and made it fantastically tough for us."
England captain Jo Yapp: "We knew they would fight for 80 minutes and they did that and all credit to them. They made it hard work for us but our pack came through. The girls dug deep and got the win that we really deserved."
Canada head coach Neil Langevin: "I'm proud of the girls. We've done lots of work and it comes down to heart and they are a remarkable group of women. The girls have been resilient and I like our chances every time we step on the field."
Canada captain Kelly McCallum: "It's diappointing, we came out wanting to win. We were able to change momentum in the second half, which we wanted to do. Now it's time to turn it around and pick it up again which we are really good at and look towards France."
Canada scrum half Julia Suguwara: " We were one try away from the World Cup final, there's not much more you can ask for than that."