The England Women's Rugby Team made a resounding statement in their Women's Rugby World Cup opener, thrashing the USA with a commanding 69-7 victory. This match, held at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, drew a record-breaking crowd of 42,723, the largest ever for a women's rugby match.

Key Performances

• Ellie Kildunne, the reigning World Player of the Year, was the standout performer, making 153 metres and five clean breaks, scoring two tries, and assisting in two more.
• Megan Jones and Tatyana Heard formed a formidable center partnership, combining power, pace, and tactical nous.
• Hannah Botterman was relentless in the loose, securing a crucial turnover.

Match Highlights

• The match began with a spectacular pre-show featuring Anne-Marie, setting the stage for an electrifying game.
• England's scrum was dominant from the start, and their driving maul proved to be a significant advantage.
• Despite some missed opportunities in the first half, England lifted their intensity in the second half, scoring multiple tries.

Coach's Perspective

John Mitchell, England's head coach, acknowledged the team's potential for growth. "We challenged them around lifting the intensity in the second half, and I thought we lifted it well," he said. "There's a lot we need to do, we only just got started."

Looking Ahead

England's next matches are against Samoa and Australia, with potential knockout rounds at Bristol's Ashton Gate. The team aims to continue their dominance and make it to the final at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on 27 September.

Fan Engagement

Kildunne expressed her gratitude to the fans, stating, "The fans definitely made a statement, you made that one really special. Thank you to everybody that came, having rugby in the north is pretty special as well."

This victory not only highlights England's current form but also sets a high bar for their competitors in the tournament.