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. FT: England 69-7 USA

    That's England's 28th win on the bounce. They have not lost since the World Cup final in 2022.

  2. FT: England 69-7 USA

    An official attendance of 42,723 at Stadium of Light. Eden Park had a crowd of 42,579 at the last World Cup final.

    Line-out wide shotGetty Images

  3. 'A statement from England'

    FT: England 69-7 USA

    Sara Orchard
    Women's Rugby World Cup commentator on BBC One

    What a statement from England, with 11 tries they delivered in the North East.

  4. Full-time - England 69-7 USA

    A perfect start for England in their home World Cup.

  5. England 69-7 USA

    Ilona Maher with a swinging pass out wide. A strong performance from the social media star. She will have plenty of work opportunities after the World Cup, but she's very handy at rugby.

  6. Good time for some Kildunne magic....

    England 69-7 USA

  7. England 69-7 USA

    Ellie Kildunne is named the player of the match.

  8. England 69-7 USA

    Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is ringing around the stadium.

  9. England's bench is 'seamless'

    England 69-7 USA

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC One

    There was an inevitability there from the moment the line-out was taken. That was well composed. When the bench comes on and it works as seamlessly as that, it's a great advantage.

  10. try

    Converted try - England 69-7 USA

    Lark Atkin-Davies (con Emma Sing)

    There it is. Lark Atkin-Davies drops over from the maul. Emma Sing nudges over the extras. What a lovely strike.

  11. England 62-7 USA

    Shock.... England win another scrum penalty. I'd say another try is coming.

  12. England 62-7 USA

    A rare mistake from Abby Dow as she drops the ball after fast hands from Emma Sing. A try was there...

  13. England's power game is 'unstoppable'

    England 62-7 USA

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC One

    Fresh legs and more power.

    England's power game tonight has been unstoppable. As an opening for a World Cup, couldn't be much better.

  14. A flying Ward

    England 62-7 USA

    Abbie Ward of England catches the ball with support from teammate Maud MuirGetty Images
    Abbie Ward of England catches the ball with support from teammate Maud MuirPA

  15. Watch: Breach add another try for England

    England 62-7 USA

  16. Get Involved

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    Maher has to play at 8? Her power just seems wasted as a centre.

    Lauren, Oldham

  17. England 62-7 USA

    England's depth is exceptional. To bring on that level of talent is why they are favourites for the World Cup.

  18. No Breach hat-trick

    England 62-7 USA

    Emma Sing is on for her World Cup debut, replacing two-try Jess Breach on the wing.

    Maddie Feaunati also came on earlier for her World Cup debut, taking over from captain Zoe Aldcroft at flanker.

  19. England 62-7 USA

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC One

    USA went 17 phases, made one mistake and are back behind their posts.

  20. try

    Try - England 62-7 USA

    Jess Breach

    It is all Ellie Kildunne. The England full-back does so well to juggle the ball on her thigh after a kick through. The women's world player then finds her good friend Jess Breach again.

    Wonderful play.

    Emily Scarratt misses the easy conversion.