The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup roared into action on August 22, as the USA Women’s Eagles faced off against world number one England at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England. For the American side, the opening match was always going to be a formidable challenge, but the Red Roses’ dominance was even more emphatic than many had anticipated. England surged to a resounding 69-7 victory in front of a record Women’s Rugby World Cup crowd of 42,723, setting the tone for a tournament brimming with anticipation and high stakes.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, there were moments of inspiration and resilience from the USA. The Eagles’ lone try came courtesy of forward Erica Jarrell-Searcy, whose breakaway run in the 25th minute electrified the visiting supporters. Jarrell-Searcy broke through two tackles and sprinted 50 meters to the posts, narrowing the gap to 14-7 and giving the USA a glimmer of hope in the first half. “An incredible run by Erica Jarrell-Searcy puts the Eagles on the board, complete with a conversion kick,” reported FloRugby, highlighting the standout play of the night for the Americans.
But England’s depth, power, and clinical execution soon took over. The Red Roses, who remain undefeated in 2025, made 11 line breaks and scored 11 tries on 119 carries, constantly finding space and exploiting defensive lapses. Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach were the stars of the show, each notching two tries and combining for several dazzling moments. Kildunne, who also led England with 10 carries and two line breaks, was instrumental in setting up Breach for a pair of tries, while Abby Dow, Amy Cokayne, Lark Atkin-Davies, Maud Muir, Sadia Kabeya, and Hannah Botterman all contributed to the scoring frenzy.
At halftime, the Red Roses led 28-7, having already established a commanding presence. The USA, to their credit, showed flashes of promise, particularly through their forwards, but struggled to maintain possession and capitalize on opportunities. England’s defense was relentless, and their attack fluid, with Player of the Match Ellie Kildunne orchestrating much of the action. “England looks unstoppable as Amy Cokayne records a try soon after Ellie Kildunne’s performance,” FloRugby noted as the second half got underway.
The second half saw England pull further away, with four tries in the first 20 minutes after the break. Lark Atkin-Davies, coming off the bench, made an immediate impact, while Breach and Kildunne continued to slice through the American defense. The Red Roses’ ability to convert turnovers into points was particularly impressive, as they punished every mistake and maintained relentless pressure. By the 75th minute, England had built a 69-7 lead, capping off one of the most dominant World Cup opening performances in recent memory.
For the USA, the match was a learning experience against the best in the world. Head Coach Sione Fukofuka was candid in his post-match assessment: “I think we competed well against the number one team in the world, but discipline is something we will need to work on. We need to be accurate in key moments and convert that into points. We need to execute when we get the chance.” The Eagles’ discipline and execution will be under scrutiny as they prepare for their next group stage matches.
There were also concerns on the injury front for the Americans. Flanker Georgie Perris-Redding, a key player for the Eagles, took a heavy hit at midfield in the first half and was removed for a Head Injury Assessment. She was replaced by Freda Tafuna, marking the first substitution of the night. The USA’s ability to maintain squad depth and fitness will be critical as the tournament progresses and the fixtures come thick and fast.
USA captain Kate Zackary struck a defiant tone after the defeat, insisting the team’s heads would not drop. “We’ve spoken a lot about the potential of this team and need to put in a team performance for the full 80 minutes. We’re still in the competition, we can still get the two wins we need to make the knockouts. Hopefully we can play to our potential against Australia and then give ourselves a shot against Samoa,” said Zackary, as quoted by the team’s official channels. The Eagles’ resilience and unity will be tested in the coming days.
The USA’s next challenge comes quickly, as they face Australia in York on August 30 at 2:30 pm ET. This matchup is crucial for the Eagles’ hopes of advancing to the knockout stages, with a final group game against Samoa scheduled for September 6. Both matches will be broadcast live in the United States on Paramount+, with select games also airing on CBS Sports Network. American rugby fans are encouraged to tune in and support as the Eagles aim to bounce back from their opening defeat.
England, meanwhile, continues to justify their status as favorites. Their World Cup pedigree is unrivaled, with a record of 36 wins, one draw, and seven losses in tournament play, and championship triumphs in 1994 and 2014. The Red Roses’ squad, featuring stars like Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward, and Zoe Aldcroft, is brimming with experience and talent. Their next group stage matches will be watched closely by rivals and fans alike, as England seeks to maintain their perfect record and chase another title.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup continues with a packed schedule. On August 23, fans can catch Australia vs. Samoa, Scotland vs. Wales, and Canada vs. Fiji, with coverage on BBC Sport platforms and streaming services. The tournament’s pools are stacked with talent, and every match carries significant implications for the path to the quarterfinals, which begin on September 13.
The USA Women’s Eagles will need to regroup quickly, focusing on discipline, accuracy, and seizing their opportunities. With a talented roster featuring Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Tahlia Brody, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Kate Zackary, and others, the potential is there for a turnaround. The coaching staff, led by Sione Fukofuka and supported by assistants Sarah Chobot and Mel Bosman, will be working tirelessly to prepare the squad for the challenges ahead.
As the dust settles on opening night, one thing is clear: the Women’s Rugby World Cup is off to a thrilling start, with England making a powerful statement and the USA eager to prove they belong on the sport’s biggest stage. All eyes now turn to York, where the Eagles’ journey continues and their World Cup dreams remain alive.
