A record Women’s World Cup crowd watched the Red Roses thrash the United States to get the tournament started in style

The build-up to Beibhinn Parsons' first Women's Rugby World Cup has been, to put it mildly, less than ideal, but she is raring to go for the tournament.

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.

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.Ellie Kildunne,

Co-captain Edel McMahon is confident that Ireland's lack of World Cup experience will not "shake" the squad as they prepare to face Japan in their opening game.

Having spent an hour with 14 players because of Lydia Thompson’s red card, the Red Roses had a five-metre line-out from which to maul themselves to glory. Instead, Joanah Ngan-Woo rose just high enough to flick the ball out of Abbie Ward’s grasp.