KITAKYUSHU, Japan — The Canadian women have opened the Kitakyushu Sevens with back-to-back wins.
Karen Paquin made her return to the lineup after almost three years away with an injury, scoring a try to lead Canada over China 42-19 on Saturday in the second match for both teams at the HSBC Seven Series tournament.
Paquin was competing in international action for the first time since the 2016 Rio Olympics because of a serious knee injury.
Charity Williams and Bianca Farella added two tries each in the win over China while Keyara Wardley had one of her own.
Ghislaine Landry and Breanne Nicholas each kicked three conversions.
Earlier in the day, Kaili Lukan scored the first try of the match as the Canadians opened their tournament with a 26-17 win over Spain.
Williams, Britt Benn and Farella added second-half tries while Landry had three conversions for Canada.
The Canadians will wrap up the first day of play with a match against Australia later Saturday.
Canada is coming off a fifth-place finish in Sydney and is tied for third with Australia in the overall standings.
The next stop on the HSBC Seven Series is in Langford, B.C., on May 11.
The Canadian Press
