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4h ago

Women’s Rugby World Cup Opens in England With Record Opener Expected

Separately, South Africa turn to Handre Pollard and a heavier bench after their Ellis Park loss in a pragmatic Rugby Championship reset.

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Canada's Olivia DeMerchant (18) scores a try as she is tackled by USA's Erica Jarrell-Searcy (5), bottom, and McKenzie Hawkins (10), left, during the second half of Women's rugby action in Ottawa on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
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Overview

  • Hosts England face the United States in the tournament curtain-raiser on Friday at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, with more than 40,000 tickets sold for a record World Cup opening crowd.
  • England enter as world No. 1 with a long unbeaten run and an unchanged starting XV named by coach John Mitchell, with Emily Scarratt added on the bench and Ellie Kildunne leading a potent back three.
  • The opener will be broadcast free-to-air in the UK on BBC and BBC iPlayer, with additional coverage confirmed in markets including Australia (9Now), Ireland (RTÉ Player) and North America.
  • USA captain Kate Zackary urged the Eagles to “shoot for the stars” as they target the semi-finals, with Hope Rogers anchoring a refreshed lineup and analysts widely tipping England as heavy favorites.
  • Pool A dynamics loom large, with Australia—who arrive better resourced and more experienced—likely eyeing an Aug. 31 clash against the USA in York as pivotal for quarter-final qualification.