England v USA As it happened - Hosts dominate with 69-7 victory in the opening game of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Sunderland

England delivered a masterclass in the Rugby World Cup opener with a 69-7 victory over the USA at the Stadium of Light on Friday night.

Sadia Kabeya opened the points-scoring for the Red Roses, with Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir extending their lead into half-time. Erica Jarell provided the USA's only answer.

Abby Dow and Lark Aktin-Davies were bright sparks with three tries in the second half between them, but it was full-back Ellie Kildunne who played an essential role, scoring two tries and setting up Jess Breach for another double.

Ranked 10th in the world, the USA started well but couldn't keep the momentum held by the Red Roses, who dominated throughout the second half.

TikTok sensation Ilona Maher was a rare bright spark for a struggling USA team, making multiple attacks throughout the match, but England capitalised on the 14-player American Eagles after Alev Kelter was sin-binned.

England's offence continued until the last minute, scoring 11 tries in total, setting up a strong foundation for their second Pool A match against Samoa next weekend.

WORK TO BE DONE
Although the margin of victory was huge, the performance was not perfect. After the game, England head coach John Mitchell, said: "We challenged them around lifting the intensity in the second half and I thought we lifted it well.

"We are human, it is a home World Cup, the girls got to experience a brilliant home crowd.

"There is so much growth to come. We will get better. The tournament will get harder but we have so much left in us."

TNT Sports will bring you live action from England's premier men's rugby competition - the rebranded Gallagher PREM - during the 2025/26 season.

All 93 Gallagher PREM matches will be broadcast on TNT Sports or discovery+.

The Season kicks off on September 25, following the end of the Women's World Cup

England's next Pool A match will be against Samoa on Saturday August 30.

Franklin's Gardens in Northampton will host the clash between the world number ones and the world number 13s.

It is unknown whether some Red Rose absentees will make their return for the fixture or whether he will keep the winning format.

Post-match, England full-back Ellie Kildunne said: "I passed Jess [Breach] a few, she will thank me later as she has passed me a few before.

"It's a full team effort. Hannah Botterman has had a few things to say; she has been in the front row, bashing it up through the middle.

"I wouldn't be able to do it; they [the forwards] do a super job."

The Stadium of Light reached a capacity of 42,723.

To put that into context, at the last World Cup, Eden Park had a crowd of 42,579 - that was for the final.

Women's Rugby is back in England, and it's safe to say its bigger and better than ever before!

England extend their winning streak to 28.

There's a reason the Red Roses hold such a long-standing record of victories, but how long will it last?

Ilona Maher looked downhearted at the end of the match, but she should hold her head up high.

Little was known about how the former 7s player would fare in this World Cup after only gaining a few months of experience in the PWR with Bristol Bears.

And yet, the social media icon was one of the most active players on the pitch, keeping the USA's hopes alive with countless attacks.

And that's it, an emphatic start to England's World Cup campaign.

England will take a set of 11 stunning tries with them, leaving the USA feeling a little bruised.

Ellie Kildunne is named player of the match after a stellar performance at the opening game of the World Cup.

If at first you don't succeed, try again.

Lark Atkin-Davies gets it over the line from the maul for her second.

Emma Sing gets her first conversion of the evening and slots it through the posts.

Abby Dow drops the ball after some fast hands from Emma Sing.

It's not going to change the outcome, but the tiredness is starting to show

The bond between Breach and Kildunne has been essential this evening, setting each other up to extend England's lead.

Breach gets her two tries and is now off, replaced by Emma Sing is on for her World Cup debut.

Maddie Feaunati also came on earlier for her World Cup debut.

Kildunne has moved to the wing, for Sing to cover full-back.

The scoreline doesn't show it, but possession has been 50:50 tonight.

The difference? England have not let an opportunity slip past them.

England are world leaders for a reason.

Breach gets another, she's been in the right place at the right time throughout this second half.

Emily Scarratt has come onto the pitch, making her appearance at her fifth World Cup.
No other rugby player has ever reached this feat.

Lark Atkin-Davies extends England's lead.