England ready to confront USA and Ilona Maher's stardust in World Cup opener

Red Roses have lost only once to Friday's opponents but refuse to get caught up in the hype of a home tournament

The talking will stop and the sport get under way on Friday night when the Red Roses raise the curtain on the most anticipated women's rugby tournament of all time. The USA are first in line at the 2025 Rugby World Cup to try to upset the world No 1 team, but if recent history is anything to go by it will be England striding to a dominant win.

The two sides have played 21 times and the US have won one – the 1991 World Cup final. In 2025, the USA have played six games and won one, 31-24 against Fiji. England have played seven matches in this calendar year and have won all of them, extending their unbeaten run to 27 matches.