Summary

  • England's record World Cup score and record number of tries

  • England run in 14 tries in Pool C fixture at Eden Park in Auckland

  • World Cup favourites score 10 tries in superb second half

  • Wing Claudia MacDonald claims four tries

  • Abby Dow marks return from broken leg with fairytale try

  • Six Nations champions on record-breaking 26-match winning run

  • Day one of the Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 04:35 British Summer Time 8 October 2022

    Tweet the hashtag #bbcrugby

    Let us know your thoughts on the upcoming match or the tournament as a whole via Twitter!

    See how many people we have up with us on this cold Saturday morning.

  2. Team newspublished at 04:30 British Summer Time 8 October 2022

    Fiji v England ()4.45 BST)

    Both teams confirmed their line-ups days before the match and Fiji have an impressive starting XII.

    Sereima Leweniqila will captain the side for their first World Cup Test and starts in the second row, out of her usual position at No 8.

    Siteri Rasolea is set to make her debut at prop with teenager Sulita Waisega starting at blindside flanker.

    Fiji: Roela Radiniyavuni; Alowesi Nakoci, Raijieli Laqeretabua, Sesenieli Donu, Vitalina Naikore; Merewalesi Rokouono, Lavena Cavuru; Iris Verebalavu, Vika Matarugu, Siteri Rasolea, Asinate Serevi, Sereima Leweniqila, Sulita Waisega, Ema Adivitaloga, Karalaini Naisewa.

    Replacements: Bitila Tawake, Bulou Vasuturaga, Mereoni Namositava, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Raijieli Daveua, Akosita Ravato, Ana Maria Roqica, Melaia Matanatabu.

    England have named an experienced side including captain Sarah Hunter who wins her 136th cap, the all-time England cap record is 137 (held by former international Rocky Clark) and she is sure to break it this tournament.

    Other notable decisions taken by Simon Middleton is Sadia Kabeya at seven with Marlie Packer out with injury. Lark Davies is also injured and so Amy Cokayne starts at hooker - talk about strength in depth! Abby Dow has been named on the bench just six months after breaking her leg against Wales.

    England: Ellie Kildunne; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Helena Rowland,11. Claudia MacDonald; Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante; Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews, Sadia, Kabeya, Sarah Hunter.

    Replacements: Connie Powell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Cath O'Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Abby Dow.

    Abby DowImage source, Getty Images
  3. RWC is underway!published at 04:25 British Summer Time 8 October 2022

    Fiji v England ()4.45 BST)

    Welcome to our coverage of the Rugby World Cup! I hope you are armed with coffee and some early morning breakfast today and are prepared for many early alarms over the next five weeks. And if the coffee doesn't wake you up, the rugby on display sure will.

    The tournament kicked off earlier today with France beating South Africa 40-5 but we now turn to the other Pool C match which sees favourites England take on Fiji.

    Fiji are competing at their first World Cup and they are also taking on each of the teams in their pool for the first time. It is a baptism of fire to face the world number one team in your first World Cup match but what an occasion it will be. There is a sold out crowd at Eden Park which has seen around 40,000 people stack out the stadium - a new record for a women's World Cup.

    So who will be facing the supporters? Here's all you need to know about the team news....