Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks-off with a bang

Round one of the Rugby World Cup 2025 pool stage is in the books as rugby fans across England saw tries galore.

There was an average of 60 points per match in the opening weekend, as the best players on the planet showed off their skills.

Here is everything you need to know from round one…

Friday Night Lights

Rugby World Cup 2025 kicked off with a bang at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland as England were runaway victors over the USA.

42,723 fans, the record attendance at a women’s World Cup match, saw the Red Roses cross the whitewash 11 times on their way to a 69-7 win over the Eagles.

Harlequins’ Ellie Kildunne played a starring role, scoring twice and setting up both of Jess Breach’s tries.

Emily Scarratt also became the only player, male or female, to feature in five World Cups for England after she replaced Zoe Harrison from the bench.

England will face Samoa next weekend, as the Red Roses travel to Franklin’s Gardens, before taking on Australia in Brighton to round off their pool stage efforts.

PWR stars shine on Saturday

With a bumper card of four games on Saturday, there was bound to be plenty of action, and the PWR’s talent was on full display.

Canada took on Fiji in York, and the North Americans showed their class in a 65-7 win as, like England, they scored 11 tries.

Full-back Julia Schell scored six tries, shoving the Trailfinders Women playmaker right into the conversation for the tournament’s top try scorer.

There was more success for the Trailfinders back three elsewhere, as new winger Fran McGhie scored a hat-trick for Scotland on his World Cup debut.

The women in tartan produced an exceptional performance to beat Pool B rivals Wales 38-8.

This leaves Canada top of Pool B with Scotland narrowly trailing them on points difference.

Elsewhere, Australia and France both kept their opponents from troubling the scorers.

The Wallaroos defeated Samoa 73-0 to put them top of Pool A heading into next weekend, while Les Bleues fought off a strong Italy team to win 24-0.

Solid start for Ireland on Sunday

Ireland overcame a spirited Japan side in a 42-12 victory at Franklin’s Gardens to kick off their Pool C campaign.

Gloucester Hartpury’s Sam Monaghan co-captained the Green Wave, alongside Exeter’s Edel McMahon, as she returned to the pitch after a long injury lay-off.

Neve Jones, Monaghan’s domestic teammate, got on the score sheet to help Ireland achieve an ideal start to the tournament, before they face Spain and New Zealand.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Brazil made their World Cup debut against South Africa in Northampton.

The South Americans gave it their all but were unable to stop South Africa running away with a 66-6 victory.

The result leaves the Springbok Women top of Pool D, with France a point back.

As a result, the Black Ferns are top of Pool C heading into round two with Ireland level on points.