England made a resounding statement in their Rugby World Cup opener, overwhelming the United States with an 11-try, 69-7 victory in front of a record-breaking crowd of 42,723 in Sunderland. The Red Roses demonstrated their depth and skill, with standout performances from Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach, who each scored twice.

Match Highlights

• Ellie Kildunne dazzled with her signature square-dance celebration after both her tries, a nod to the team's camaraderie.
• Jess Breach, co-host of the Rugby Rodeo podcast, mirrored Kildunne's success with her own double.
• England's bench strength proved decisive, as the USA, ranked 10th globally, struggled to maintain their early intensity.

Record-Breaking Attendance

The match set a new attendance record for a Women's Rugby World Cup game, surpassing the 42,579 spectators at the 2022 final in Eden Park.

Looking Ahead

England's dominant performance has solidified their status as tournament favorites, with fans eagerly anticipating their next match. The USA, despite the loss, showed glimpses of potential that could be pivotal in their upcoming games.

Teams

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews.

USA: Sharp; Henrich, Maher, Kelter, Mataitoga; Hawkins, Ortiz; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu, Brody, Jarrell-Searcy, Zackary, Perris-Redding, Johnson.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Rugby World Cup unfolds!