Eleven-try England start WC bid with a big bang

Hosts England ran in 11 tries as they brushed aside the United States 69-7 on Friday to win the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup and emphasise their status as pre-tournament favourites.

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Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach and Lark Atkin-Davies each scored two tries and there was one apiece for Sadia Kabeya, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Abby Dow and Amy Cokayne in front of 42,723 at the Stadium of Light in an exciting opener for the six-week, 16-team tournament that has already set records for ticket sales.

Zoe Harrison kicked six conversions and replacement Emma Sing contributed another in the Pool A encounter, which marked the biggest attendance for a game at a Women’s World Cup.

Erica Jarrell-Searcy dotted down the only try for the Americans with McKenzie Hawkins converting.