Red-hot trophy favorite England has launched its home bid for the Women’s Rugby World Cup crown by thrashing the United States 69-7 in front of a record-sized crowd in Sunderland.

The United States insist they are out to cause an upset in Friday's Women's Rugby World Cup opener against England in Sunderland.

The game has changed in the 15 years since England last hosted the Women's Rugby World Cup. Can the Red Roses change the tournament's usual ending?

SUNDERLAND, England — Ilona Maher’s mission at the Women’s Rugby World Cup is about more than just winning games. Heading into the United States’ tournament opener on Friday, the world’s most followed rugby player on social media wants to get more eyeballs on the sport as it ramps up attempts to crack the market in America.

England have now won 28 straight games and extended their winning run against the United States to 21 matches - with a record-breaking crowd of 42,723 watching the victory

England got their women’s World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a dominant performance in Sunderland where they overwhelmed the United States 69-7.