The wait is over. Women’s rugby takes center stage Friday night as England kick off their home World Cup against the USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
On paper, the odds are stacked heavily in England’s favor. The Red Roses have played the USA 21 times and lost just once—way back in the 1991 World Cup final. In 2025, the USA have managed only one win in six games, a tight 31-24 victory over Fiji. England, meanwhile, have swept all seven of their fixtures this year and are riding an unbeaten streak of 27 matches.
But don’t expect England to get carried away. Scrum-half Natasha “Mo” Hunt, who returns to World Cup action for the first time since 2017, insists the team is keeping its feet on the ground.
“I’m absolutely buzzing, but ultimately it’s just another game of rugby,” Hunt said. “The buildup is epic, but when we step on the pitch it’s just about fighting with the girls. That’s what I love.”
The spotlight, however, won’t just be on England. Across the field will be American star Ilona Maher, the most-followed rugby player in the world with 8.8 million social media fans and a stint on Dancing with the Stars under her belt. She’ll be up against England’s Megan Jones, who isn’t fazed by the hype.
“Physics says she’s got a couple of inches and pounds on me, but it’s not the size of the dog, it’s the size of the fight,” Jones said. “Followers don’t matter on the pitch.”
Maher herself is embracing the challenge. “We know England bring threats everywhere. It’s going to be fun,” she said. Asked about the USA’s goals, she spoke about pushing the sport forward: “Women’s rugby is at a point where it could grow massively. We want more eyes on the game, more stadiums sold out.”
They’re already making history. Over 43,000 tickets have been sold for the opener, surpassing the 42,579 fans who watched New Zealand beat England in the 2022 final at Eden Park.
For England’s defence coach Sarah Hunter, who played in the last home World Cup back in 2010, the growth is staggering.
“To see 43,000 people here, more than any women’s Rugby World Cup game before, is exactly where the sport should be,” she said. “These girls are playing on the biggest stage, and it’s incredible to watch.”
