Canada routed Portugal 42-12 in a World Cup warm-up match and the first ever meeting between the two nations in Ottawa on Saturday.

Canada built a 20-7 lead at the half then scored 22 unanswered points in the opening 20 minutes of the second half to claim victory against Portugal, who which be making their World Cup debut next month in France.

Winger DTH van der Merwe scored two tries, and fullback Mike Pyke, prop Jon Thiel, inside center David Spicer and Justin Mensah-Coker also crossed for Canada.

James Pritchard converted three and had two penalty kicks.

Portugal's only first-half points came in the ninth minute as inside center Diogo Mateus intercepted an errant pass from Canada flyhalf Ryan Smith and ran it back untouched.

Pedro Cabral's conversion gave Portugal an early 7-5 lead, and the visitors also had the final say when replacement Jose Pinto finished with a try.

CANADA 42 (DTH van der Merwe 2, Mike Pyke, Adam Kleeberger, Justin Menah-Coker, David Spicer tries; James Pritchard 3 conv 2 pen) bt PORTUGAL 12 (Diogo Mateus, Jose Pinto tries; Pedro Lealin conv) in Ottawa, Canada.

AP