Rugby Union Match Report | England 69 - 7 United States

England open World Cup with record-breaking rout of United States

The Red Roses run in 11 tries in Sunderland as Kildunne stars before record crowd.

Author | Anthony Gates

Stadium | Stadium of Light

Pre match national anthem

England launched their Rugby World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with an empathic win over the United States in front of a record crowd of 42,723 at the Stadium of Light.

A closer look at what happened

The Eagles, ranked 10th in the world, stuck to their task in the opening exchanges but were gradually swept aside as the depth and quality of John Mitchell’s squad shone through. England crossed for 11 tries, many of them sparked by the influence of Ellie Kildunne, who scored twice and had a hand in several more.

Kildunne, whose square-dance celebration has already become a feature of the tournament, again took centre stage. The full-back, reigning World Player of the Year, finished with 153 metres, five clean breaks, two tries and two assists in a player-of-the-match display that confirmed her billing as the face of the Red Roses. At the final whistle Oasis’s She’s Electric rang out, a suitably on-the-nose tribute to the 24-year-old.

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Jess Breach, who co-hosts a podcast with Kildunne, also claimed a brace, while Abby Dow, Amy Cokayne and Hannah Botterman were among the other scorers. Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones combined well in midfield, their partnership yielding Dow’s try just after half-time, and Jones drew gasps with a crunching tackle on Lotte Sharp.

Battling for a try

Mitchell will have been just as encouraged by England’s forward power. The scrum was dominant, particularly in the early stages, and the maul remains a reliable weapon. Botterman produced a thunderous turnover, Sadia Kabeya was tireless in the back row and Zoe Harrison’s kicking was assured, with Emma Sing waiting in the wings should fine margins in the knockout rounds demand absolute accuracy.

There is still scope for improvement, but this was an evening that underlined England’s status as overwhelming favourites. The United States have already endured heavy defeats this year, including a 79-14 loss to New Zealand in May, yet this was no mere formality. 

England put on a show in front of a record crowd

The Stadium of Light crowd, many in cowboy hats and full voice, turned the occasion into a spectacle that broke the record attendance for a Women’s Rugby World Cup match, eclipsing the 42,579 who watched the 2022 final at Eden Park.

For new fans and seasoned followers alike, England’s 28th consecutive victory offered more evidence of a team with both flair and ferocity. The Red Roses came to town and put on a show.