Hosts the Red Roses will kick of this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup this evening as they face the USA in the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, for the first of their Pool A group matches.
England, who are currently ranked top in the world and come into the competition off the back of a 27 game strong winning streak, will be tough competition for their opponents from across the pond, who haven’t reached a World Cup final since 1994 - when they were beaten by England.
The USA and England last faced each other in 2024, when the Red Roses thrashed the Eagles 61 - 21. In fact, England have won the last 20 games against the USA, and will be hoping to increase that number in front of a sold out home crowd.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
England vs. USA starting XV, team news.
England are going into their home World Cup in an extremely strong position, having claimed a Grand Slam win at the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations and currently ranked number one in the world.
They have consistently proved that they are still at the top of their game during the warm-up matches, where they not only thrashed Spain 97 - 7, but also beat France 40 - 6.
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Head Coach Jon Mitchell has announced a star-studded match day squad for this opening match, including three 2014 World Cup winners, with Natasha Hunt and Alex Matthews starting, and Emily Scarratt on the bench.
If Scarratt comes on during the game, she will make history as the first athlete to take part in five World Cups. This experience will be well balanced in the squad, as World Cup newcomers Maddie Feaunati, Emma Singand Kelsey Clifford are all named as replacements.
The starting XV is unchanged from the Red Roses’ last appearance against France, with Zoe Harrison at fly half after she established herself as a key part of England’s offensive in the warm-up matches, with her unflinchingly precise conversions.
In defence, World Player of the Year 2024 Ellie Kildunne will be resurrecting the lethal England’s back three alongside Abby Dow and Jess Breach.
England starting XV:
15 - Kildunne, 14 - Dow, 13 - Jones, 12 - Heard, 11 - Breach, 10 - Harrison, 9 - Hunt, 1 - Botterman, 2 - Cokayne, 3 - Muir, 4 - Talling, 5 - Ward, 6 - Aldcroft (c), 7 - Kabeya, 8 - Matthews
Full England squad
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt) Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing.
Injured: none
Suspended: none
The USA have had a mixed bag of performances during the World Cup warm-up matches, having beaten Fiji but lost to world number two’s Canada, and will be looking to consolidate on these performances during the upcoming group matches.
Ilona Maher and Alev Kelter have been named in the midfield, having both played in the English PWR this year for the Bristol Bears Women and Loughborough Lightnings respectively. In fact, of the USA squad of 32, 20 athletes have competed in the English set-up, a group knowledge that will hopefully give them a tactical advantage.
Captain Kate Zachary and prop Hope Rogers will be providing the team with significant experience and expertise, with Zachary going to her third World Cup, and Rogers her fourth.
USA starting XV:
15 - Sharp, 14 - Henrich, 13 - Maher, 12 - Kelter, 11 - Mataitoga, 10 - Hawkins, 9 - Ortiz, 1 - Rogers, 2 - Treder, 3 - Sagapolu, 4 - Brody, 5 - Jarrell-Searcy, 6 - Zachary (c), 7 - Perris-Redding, 8 - Johnson
Full USA squad
Forwards: Hope Rogers, Maya Learned, Charli Jacoby, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Catie Benson, Alivia Leatherman, Kathryn Treder, Paige Stathopoulos, Hope Cooper, Hallie Taufoou, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Rachel Ehrecke, Emerson Allen, Tahlia Brody, Rachel Johnson, Freda Tafuna, Kate Zackary, Georgie Perris-Redding
Backs: Olivia Ortiz, Cassidy Bargell, McKenzie Hawkins, Kristin Bitter, Alev Kelter, Emily Henrich, Ilona Maher, Nana Fa’avesi, Gabby Cantorna, Erica Coulibaly, Cheta Emba, Bulou Mataitoga, Sariah Ibarra, Lotte Sharp
Injured: none
Suspended: none
England vs USA score predictions
Given the history between the two teams, and the trajectory that England is currently on, the USA will have to work hard to hold their own against the Red Roses.
Score Prediction: England 42 - 17 USA
How to watch England vs France: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s World Cup matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and on England Rugby’s YouTube. England versus USA will take place tonight, August 22, at 7:30 GMT.
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