England’s Appetite for Destruction Undimmed by Thrashing of USA

The Stadium of Light witnessed something extraordinary—a record-breaking crowd of 42,723 fans, the largest ever for a Women’s Rugby World Cup match, roared as the Red Roses dismantled the USA in a 69-17 victory. The dominant performance extended England’s unbeaten streak to 28 matches, proving once again that their appetite for destruction remains as fierce as ever.

An Electric Start to the Tournament

The atmosphere was nothing short of electric. Pop sensation Anne-Marie set the stage with pyrotechnics and dazzling dancers, but the real fireworks came from the pitch. Just three minutes in, the crowd erupted into the first chorus of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, a clear sign that England’s fans were here to make history—and so were their players.

Leading the charge was Ellie Kildunne, the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, whose performance was as electrifying as her reputation suggests. With 153 metres gained, five clean breaks, two tries, and two assists, Kildunne proved why she’s not just a star but the face of this tournament. As the stadium announcer played She’s Electric at full-time, it felt like the perfect anthem for a player who shone brighter than anyone else on the field.

Why England’s Depth is Their Greatest Strength

While Kildunne stole the headlines, England’s triumph was a collective effort. The centre partnership of Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones was particularly impressive, blending power, pace, and rugby intellect seamlessly. Jones delivered a bone-crunching tackle on Lotte Sharp that had fans wincing, while her break and offload to Heard set up Abby Dow’s try early in the second half.

Up front, Hannah Botterman made a statement with relentless work in the loose and a crucial turnover, perhaps fueled by the challenge of outperforming rival Hope Rogers (USA’s loose-head prop and a World Rugby Team of the Year pick). Meanwhile, Sadia Kabeya’s tireless energy in the back row and Zoe Harrison’s pinpoint kicking ensured England dominated every phase.

Areas for Improvement? Yes, But That’s Bad News for Their Rivals

Despite the emphatic scoreline, head coach John Mitchell will know England can—and must—be sharper. The first half saw moments of sloppy execution, with misdirected midfield passes and a few lax kick receptions. Jess Breach, despite scoring twice, was outmuscled by Erica Jarrell-Searcy for the USA’s lone try—a reminder that tougher tests will demand perfection.

Mitchell’s halftime talk clearly worked, as England emerged with greater intensity after the break. We challenged them to lift it, and they did, he said post-match. There’s still so much growth in this team. The tournament will get harder, but so will we.

The driving maul remains a devastating weapon, with Amy Cokayne’s try off a clever lineout variation illustrating England’s tactical ingenuity. The scrum was dominant, especially early on, but tighter defences will punish any loose play in the knockouts.

The Road Ahead: Bigger Crowds, Bigger Challenges

England now look ahead to Samoa at Franklin’s Gardens and Australia at the Amex Stadium, with the knockout stages potentially taking place at Bristol’s Ashton Gate. A repeat of this performance will make them near-unstoppable—especially if Kildunne and company maintain this form.

As Kildunne put it post-match: The fans made it special. Having rugby in the north is incredible—this is just the start.

The message is clear: England’s appetite for destruction is far from satisfied. And if this opening statement is anything to go by, their rivals should be very worried.

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