The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup kicked off this weekend across the country with the first rounds of the group stages.
Pool A, comprising of hosts England, the USA, Australia and Samoa, was the first of the group matches to take place, with England vs USA being the inaugural game of the whole tournament.
The Sporting News runs through the matches, results, key moments and players, and what this means for the next round.
England vs USA
Score: 69 - 7
Location: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Try scorers:
England: Kabeya, Botterman, Muir, Kildunne (2), Dow, Cokayne, Breach (2), Atkin- Davies (2); Conv: Harrison (6), Sing,
USA: Jarrell; Conv: Hawkins
Match report:
The opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 lived up to all expectations, as hosts England demolished the USA 69 - 7 in front of a record crowd of 42, 723. This number is more than the spectators at the final of the last World Cup in New Zealand in 2022 - testament to the calibre of rugby occurring.
Although England missed their kick off, allowing the USA to start the game with some possession, this was not a hint of what was to come as England dominated the field.
The Red Roses have historically only lost one of their last 23 World Cup group matches, and their expertise came out again in this match, as they forced errors from the Eagles, with the USA side conceding three penalties just in the scrum in the first twenty minutes.
England's famously ferocious maul was also back in action, with props Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir standing out in the first half and both crossing the line.
The Eagles did not have the game they hoped for in such a tough pool, although they did show some impressive ability to gain metres as centre Ilona Maher took four defenders to be taken down.
Jarrell- Searcy was also able to barrel across the line to bring the USA some much-needed points, although any boost that this gave the team was quickly dispelled after centre Alev Kelter was dealt a yellow card for impulsively slapping the ball out of England's hands.
The Red Roses capitalised on this reduction, as Muir and Kildunne both crossed the line to help England pull away again.
Indeed, Kildunne was the standout player throughout, earning Player of the Match, as she scored twice, and demonstrated her razor sharp understanding of the game's intricacies as she unselfishly set up a try for teammate Jess Breach.
Alongside Kildunne's performance, England's arsenal of replacements allowed them to continue their assault right to the final whistle, as Atkin-Davies scored twice, not permitting the USA a moment of rest.
Australia vs Samoa
Score: 73 - 0
Location: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
Try scorers:
Australia: Amosa, Miller (3), Halse (2), Chancellor, Karpani, Smith, Talakai (2); Cons: Wood (6), Cramer (3)
Player of the match: Cecilia Smith
Match report:
Australia clocked in a staggering 11 tries in their opening match against Samoa in Manchester. This score is the most that Australia has ever scored in a World Cup match, beating their previous record of 62 against South Africa in 2010, and has put them at the top of Pool A on point difference.
The Wallaroo's onslaught was instantaneous, with Amosa scoring in the 92nd second of play, and Samoa was unable to respond throughout the game.
Winger Desiree Miller was flying in the first half, scoring a hat-trick, as well as the Wallaroo's youngest ever player Cailtyn Halse making history and scoring twice.
Samoa did manage to put up an improved second half performance, forcing the Wallaroos into more defensive position, but their ball handling and fitness ultimately weren't up to breaking through the gold defence.
To make matters worse, Samoa had to deal with two yellow cards against Mamea and Salale, demonstrating their need to clean up their performance before facing world number one's England next week.
Australia truly wowed in this match, not just from individual performances but their pack mentality and teamwork. Cecilia Smith was awarded Player of the Match, not only from her try but from her tireless work on the field supporting teammates, gaining metres and making countless high impact tackles.
What does this mean for next week?
Australia and England have five points each going into next week, having both gained a Bonus Point. Australia is currently top of the scoreboard due to a points difference of 73, compared to England's 62.
In the bottom half of the pool, the USA and Samoa both have 0 points, but the USA leads with a points difference of -62 to the Samoan -73.
On Saturday, August 30, England will face Samoa in Northampton, and Australia will battle the USA in York.
Rugby news and related content
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