England sent out a powerful message in their Women’s Rugby World Cup opener, thrashing the USA 69-7 in front of a record crowd in Sunderland. The Red Roses showed exactly why they are favourites for the title, running in 11 tries on a night that felt more like a statement than just a victory.
Hannah Botterman and Megan Jones were standout performers in a dominant team display, but what will worry future opponents is that this still wasn’t England’s best performance. Handling errors crept in, yet their scrum dominance kept them firmly in control. And when their attack clicked, the USA had no answers. Botterman’s clever first-half line run was arguably the pick of the tries.
The build-up in Sunderland had been buzzing all day. USA fans arrived in hot dog costumes, England supporters in scarves and cowboy hats a nod to the now-famous celebration from Ellie Kildunne and Jones. The 42,723 fans, the largest ever crowd for a Women’s Rugby World Cup opener, erupted when Kildunne finally dotted down in the 35th minute.
Before kick-off, the opening ceremony featured pop star Anne-Marie, but it was rugby stars who drew the biggest cheers. USA’s Ilona Maher, one of the most-followed players on social media, received a huge ovation, matched by Kildunne when her name was announced.
The USA started spiritedly but England struck first through Sadia Kabeya after a scrum penalty. Soon after, Botterman’s storming run split open the American defence, sending the crowd wild. Every small success the USA managed from a disrupted lineout to a turnover penalty was celebrated like a win, but errors cost them dearly.
A fumble between captain Kate Zackary and winger Bulou Mataitoga wasted a certain try, though Erica Jarrell’s individual brilliance soon put the USA on the scoreboard. Fly-half McKenzie Hawkins added the conversion, but moments later Alev Kelter was sent to the sin-bin, and England quickly took advantage as Maud Muir powered over.
Abby Dow and Kildunne combined to light up the stadium again before halftime, with the Red Roses also stopping a USA try on their own line. England went into the break firmly in control and hungry for more.
The second half was a procession. Dow crossed first, Kildunne grabbed her second, and Amy Cokayne crashed over soon after. The crowd even sang along to “I Just Can’t Get Enough” as Jess Breach scored next. Lark Atkin-Davies added another, before England legend Emily Scarratt came on for her fifth World Cup appearance the first England player to reach that milestone.
Breach bagged her second try late on, and Atkin-Davies rounded things off to seal England’s 28th consecutive win.
The Red Roses haven’t lifted the World Cup since 2014, but on this evidence, they look unstoppable. Next up, they face Samoa, while the USA now have a must-win clash against Australia to keep their campaign alive.
