The Women’s World Cup began in style as England, the hosts and tournament favourites, thrashed the United States 69-7 in front of a record tournament crowd at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
The Red Roses were in a typically dominant mood, 11 tries arriving in all despite a few early errors with Ellie Kildunne, Meg Jones and the rest of the backline to the fore. The hosts showcased their maul might, too, in an encouraging start to a tournament they are expected to win on home soil.
