Record-breaking crowds watched on as England crushed the USA 60-7 in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup 2025 at the Stadium of Light in front of 42,723 buzzing spectators.
The tournament's sizzling favourites scored 11 tries altogether, including seven in the second half, as the USA, who were competitive in the first half, tired.
Story of the match
England started the Pool A game by dropping the kick-off and fumbling a pass, but Sadia Kabeya calmed the nerves with the opening try in the ninth minute.
England scored three more tries in the first half, including a length-of-the-field team effort finished by World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne.
The pick of the match's tries arguably came from the USA, though. In the 25th minute, second row Erica Jarrell-Searcy showed an impressive turn of speed, bursting through tackles down the middle of the pitch to give her team a deserved score.
Masterful coach John Mitchell was ice-cold in the victory interview, highlighting room for improvement.