Overview
- Tournament hosts England opened the Women’s Rugby World Cup with a 69-7 win over the United States, running in 11 tries before a WRWC record crowd of 42,723 in Sunderland.
- Player of the match Ellie Kildunne scored twice, with Jess Breach and Lark Atkin-Davies also registering braces, as the Red Roses extended their winning streak to 28 matches.
- The 10th-ranked Eagles trailed 14-7 after an Erica Jarrell-Searcy try before Alev Kelter’s yellow card proved costly, with the USA now turning to Australia next and England set to face Samoa on August 30.
- The Rugby Championship’s second round brings South Africa vs Australia in Cape Town and Argentina vs New Zealand in Buenos Aires, with Handre Pollard recalled for the Springboks and Tomas Albornoz praised for Argentina’s playmaking.
- New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor is poised for his 100th Test cap, as the All Blacks also hand a debut to No. 8 Simon Parker and welcome back Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi from injury.