• England 61-21 USA - 2024
• England 52-14 USA - 2022
• England 89-0 USA - 2021
• USA 5-38 England - 2019
• England 57-5 USA - 2018

Yep, pretty one-sided.

Ilona Maher, who plays as a centre or wing, made seven appearances for Bristol Bears at the start of 2025.

Her spell included four tries, with her final score coming in a 36-20 semi-final defeat by eventual champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

Despite being on the wing for Bristol, the United States have deployed Maher in the centre, which shows how much they value her powerful carrying game.

Maher showed she can perform in the Premiership Women's Rugby league, but against the world's best side will a tougher challenge.

USA struggled against Canada and New Zealand this year, so England will fancy their chances of a big scoreline.

But one thing that we do know, Maher in space is a powerful and dangerous athlete.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruby Tui
2021 New Zealand World Cup winner on BBC One

Ilona Maher is a ball carrier that you don't want to be playing around with. I think you need to tire her out. To defend her, I would not let her pass the ball at all.

Ilona Maher may edge her opposite number Meg Jones in terms of followers and size, but the England vice-captain is not scared.

"I think physics would show that she's probably got a couple of inches on me and a couple of pounds as well," Jones said.

"I think I've always lived by, it's not the size of the dog, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

"No matter who I come up against, no matter how many followers they've got – she'll be thinking the same – it's how you perform on the pitch, which is the most important bit.

"I always lead with passion and pride. That's what I’ll continue to do in whatever game we go against and whoever we go against."

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Stadium of Light

The line-ups have been annnounced to the crowd.

To my ear, the top four names in descending order of popularity were:

1. Ellie Kildunne

2. Ilona Maher

3. Emily Scarratt

4. Hannah Botterman

Mad what the social media content grind can do isn't it?

Image source, Getty Images

Ilona Maher, the social media sensation, has nearly nine million followers across her Instagram, TikTok and X channels.

The 29-year-old has been named at outside centre against England after returning to the XVs game from sevens earlier this year.

Having won a bronze medal with the US sevens team at Paris 2024, she joined Premiership Women's Rugby side Bristol Bears on a three-month contract to help her transition back into the USA XVs squad for the first time since 2021.

"So many times people forget, but I am a rugby player first," Maher told BBC Sport.

"I do the social media because I have to because it is not sustainable to be a women's rugby player - I am not going to make money doing it.

"It does irk me at times when people forget that. One comment once was: 'Are you going to watch the Instagrammer play?'

"I was like, 'no, I have won a bronze medal, I've been to two Olympics, I am a good rugby player who loves the sport'.

"I am proud to do both but I do want to be known as a rugby player."

Ruby Tui
2021 New Zealand World Cup winner on BBC One

The game is growing at an insane rate. It is just so exciting and a historic moment that you cannot miss.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Stadium of Light

Somewhere in amongst all of that the Red Roses have landed at the Stadium of Light.

The team bus was greeted by ranks of fans as the players climbed up the stadium steps flanked by some pyro and many, many decibels.

The enthusiasm is high. The energy is up near the rafters.

Sunderland waited eight years to return to the Premier League.

England have waited 15 years to host another Women's Rugby World Cup.

Image source, PA Media

Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup winning captain on BBC One

England have had great prep, they are playing really well. Their big threats are Canada, France and New Zealand.

They are the ones that are going to challenge, but I don't think England are touchable if they do their job.

Saturday 23 August

Pool B: Scotland v Wales (14:45), Salford Community Stadium - BBC One from 14:15 and BBC Radio Sports Extra 2 from 14:35

Saturday 30 August

Pool B: Scotland v Fiji (14:45), Salford Community Stadium - BBC Two from 14:15

Saturday 6 September

Pool B: Canada v Scotland (12:00), Sandy Park - BBC Two from 11:45

Sunday 24 August

Pool C: Ireland v Japan (12:00), Franklin's Gardens - BBC Two and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 11:45 plus BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 11:50

Sunday 31 August

Pool C: Ireland v Spain (12:00), Franklin's Gardens - BBC Two and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 11:45, plus BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 11:50

Sunday 7 September

Pool C: New Zealand v Ireland (14:45), Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium - BBC Two from 14:30 and and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 14:00

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain speaking to BBC Sport

I think England will dominate their group. They have gone with a strong side and won't come unstuck at all. But maybe that is added pressure for them because they might not get challenged until the semi-final and maybe a final.

If you are not challenged on a regular basis, how do you deal with it when there is definite pressure in the knockouts that you have to win?

Saturday 23 August

Pool B: Scotland v Wales (14:45), Salford Community Stadium - BBC One from 14:15 and BBC Radio Sports Extra 2 from 14:35

Saturday 30 August

Pool B: Canada v Wales (12:00), Salford Community Stadium - BBC Two from 11:45 and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 11:50

Saturday 6 September

Pool B: Wales v Fiji (14:45), Sandy Park - BBC Two from 14:15

BBC Sport

Our Radio 5 Live build-up has started, you can listen by clicking the icon at the top of the page.

Kat Merchant and Giselle Mather, who have both won the World Cup with England, are on commentary duty, alongside Claire Thomas.

Coverage has also started on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Friday 22 August

Pool A: England v USA (19:30), Stadium of Light - BBC One and BBC Radio 5 Live from 18:30

Saturday 30 August

Pool A: England v Samoa (17:00), Franklin's Gardens - BBC Two from 16:30 and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 16:55

Saturday 6 September

Pool A: England v Australia (17:00), Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium - BBC Two from 16:40