England’s Red Roses opened the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Sunderland with a heavy win over the USA — but the real story was what the night meant for the sport.
A festival atmosphere
The Women’s Rugby World Cup got underway at the Stadium of Light, where more than 42,000 fans created a night to remember.
England faced the USA, but the match felt like just one part of a wider celebration.
Families filled fan zones, a Queen tribute band had the crowd singing before kick-off, and the noise inside the ground made it clear this was more than a sporting contest.
It was a cultural statement: women’s rugby has arrived at scale.
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For many supporters, especially those experiencing women’s rugby for the first time, the evening felt different from a traditional fixture.
It had the vibrancy of a festival, combining elite sport with entertainment, atmosphere, and inclusivity.
The message was clear: this World Cup isn’t just about results, it’s about changing perceptions.
England deliver on the pitch
The Red Roses made sure the performance matched the occasion.
Ellie Kildunne was at her dazzling best, scoring twice and creating opportunities for others, while Jess Breach also crossed the line.
England’s forwards dominated physically, ensuring the USA rarely found momentum.
Speaking after the match, Kildunne said: “The fans definitely made a statement—you made that one really special.
"It’s a full squad effort… incredible from the forwards."
The 69–7 scoreline was emphatic, but in truth it felt secondary to the sight of a women’s team filling a stadium more often associated with men’s football.
Legacy beyond the result
Tournament organisers are also leaning into innovation.
Before their next match, England will become the first rugby side to receive a pre-match talk generated by AI but voiced collectively by fans.
The initiative, called “Voice of a Nation,” is symbolic of the World Cup’s attempt to build deeper connections between players and supporters.
Coach John Mitchell described the win as “just the beginning,” and while he referred to the rugby itself, the phrase captured something wider.
From record ticket sales—375,000 sold to date, and Twickenham already sold out—to a branding push around inclusivity, this World Cup is being positioned as a watershed moment for women’s sport.
This tournament is being positioned as a turning point for women’s sport in the UK.
The opening night showed the potential of rugby to inspire, to entertain, and to build a legacy that stretches far beyond the trophy.