Summary

  • Tournament favourites England run in 11 tries to start 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in brilliant style at Sunderland's Stadium of Light

  • Star player Ellie Kildunne scored England's bonus-point fourth try in first half and added a superb second after the break

  • Jess Breach and Lark Atkin-Davies both went over twice as England ran riot

  • Game watched by 42,723 fans - a record for a Women's World Cup match

  • John Mitchell's England face Samoa and Australia in remaining Pool A games

Live Reporting

Alastair Telfer

  1. England v USA (19:30 BST)

    Let's have a look at who all the home nations will play.

  2. Where are the matches being played?

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    Matches take place at eight venues:

    • Twickenham Stadium in London (third-place play-off and the final)
    • Ashton Gate in Bristol (two quarter-finals and both semi-finals)
    • Sandy Park in Exeter (pool games and two quarter-finals)
    • Stadium of Light in Sunderland (hosts England v USA )
    • Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium
    • Salford Community Stadium
    • Franklin's Gardens in Northampton
    • York Community Stadium

  3. Pre-game selfies

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    Ilona MaherGetty Images
    USA Players taking selfiesGetty Images

  4. Route to the World Cup final based on seedings

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    Route to final

  5. Who plays who in the pool stage?

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    Pool A: England, Australia, United States, Samoa

    Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji

    Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain

    Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil

    The top two teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stage.

    Going on seedings that would mean England (1), Canada (2), New Zealand (3), France (4), Australia (5), Ireland (6), Scotland (7) and Italy (8) would all advance to the last eight.

  6. The 2014 world champions

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    The Red Roses last won the World Cup in 2014, with a 21-9 win over Canada.

    Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, Emily Scarratt all played that day and are included in the matchday squad against the United States.

    Canada are ranked second in the world and could meet England again in the final.

  7. Why are England World Cup favourites?

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    England come into the World Cup on a 27-game winning run. Their last defeat came in the World Cup final by New Zealand in 2022.

    And they have won 57 of their past 58 games.

    That's why they are favourites for the tournament, but they have lost the past two finals against the Black Ferns.

    New Zealand beat England in dramatic World Cup final

  8. Watch our live stream

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    BBC Sport

    Make sure to check out the stream at the top of the page for some extra coverage from BBC reporters in Sunderland.

    I'll also get us going with some rugby chat....

  9. World Cup time

    England v USA (19:30 BST)

    The wait is finally over as the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England kicks off.

    The Red Roses, who are big favourites to win the tournament, face the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

    A record crowd for a Women's Rugby World Cup opening match is expected with more than 40,000 tickets sold.

    Oh, and social media sensation Ilona Maher is playing.

    Excited? Well, here we go!

    Stadium of LightGetty Images