"Amazing, physical player" - Ilona Maher and Meg Jones add newest chapter to on-field rivalries

This match marked the first on-field meeting between Meg Jones and Ilona Maher at rugby union 15s level, as the two share a long history from the sevens circuit. Jones made her international sevens debut for England back in 2017, with Maher following suit for the USA the next year. Jones and Maher would go on to clash across the world, as the sevens circuit toured the continents with Jones running out for Great Britain or England against the stars and stripes of Maher's United States.

"I've played her [Maher] many times, seen her out on the beers as well. She's good laugh!" Jones said, after England's impressive victory over the USA in the North East "Obviously she's an amazing physical player, and she has that presence as well. But, you know, my job is to chop them and tackle, to try and get, get her down as soon as we can."

Maher echoed the sentiment, with her post-match comments about the latest clash with Jones: “I’ve played her [Meg Jones] a lot, so I was excited to get to play her in this realm. Great player, great person. And you know, rugby is one of those where you can be the best of friends, greatest friends, off of it, but on the field, you’re down to business.”

Jones and Maher have both reached the pinnacle of Rugby Sevens on multiple occassions, with both centres experienced upon the Olympic stage. Whilst Jones was first called up to Team GB for the 2016 Games in Rio, both the Trailfinders and former Bristol Bears stars would venture to Tokyo in 2020 and Paris this past Summer for the 2024 Olympic Games. Team USA went on to take home Bronze medals from the French capital, with Maher scoring a try in every match of the campaign.

Whilst there is plenty of plaudits around Maher's presence when running at full-pelt with the ball in hand, the social media sensation showcased plenty of passing prowess in the match against England. Whilst wearing the 13 jersey for USA, Maher would often shift inside to first receiver, to set off her fellow back-line talents with astute distribution.

Jones recognised this, with fleet-footed midfielder Alev Kelter often unleashed by Maher, to strike through England's defensive line: "Obviously she's [Maher] got [Alev] Kelter in the mix as well, who's an amazing ball carrier. So I think we dealt with them well. So, yeah, we're pleased with that."

Whilst Jones and Maher re-ignited their rivalry that has now burned bright for seven strong years, the Stadium of Light faithful also witnessed a living legend take to the pitch in Emily Scarratt. 'Scaz' was firmly in the spotlight in the lead up to the match, as the experienced back ran out at her fifth Women's Rugby World Cup, for a record accomplishment from the Red Roses player.

Scarratt slotted onto the bench as Helena Rowland recovered from an ankle injury, with Jones quick to recognise how calm and collected the hero of England's 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup Final was, upon the history making tournament appearance.

"That girl's never got nerves, I think she's constantly calm! She was reminiscing on a few World Cups, and then extending to sharing some of her knowledge and stories from there. That was that was nice to hear some good [stories], some bad. It was really good to hear, and it's amazing to have her on our team with the experience that she has."

Whilst Jones, Maher and Scarratt all have their immediate attention rightly upon their respective Women's Rugby World Cup campaigns, the not so distant future will see them all return to club action in the PWR. There's little argument against how Premiership Women's Rugby is the superior women's club division in the world, with Jones agreeing how the Rugby World Cup is the perfect shop window to showcase the PWR stars to the world ahead of the new season.

"We've always been the leading nation with the Premiership, and I think that's all shown for so many years. You know, other nations are encouraged to come over and play [in the PWR], and you've seen the growth now in the women's game, I generally think that is because a lot of those players are playing in the PWR, and they're getting that exposure. They're also playing alongside us and having that experience as well. So, it's huge for the game, and I can only see it growing as well within the English team."

Jones recently made the move from Leicester Tigers to Trailfinders ahead of the 2025/26 PWR season, in a move that will put her in the same side as USA captain Kate Zackary. Jones revealed how she is excited to play against the legendary back row, after clashing on the pitch to kick-start the Rugby World Cup.

"She's [Kate Zackary] a huge ball carrier, and she's inspiring as well. I know she's very vocal on the pitch, and she's a leader as well. So, I'm looking forward to that combination."

From an outsiders perspective, the Red Roses look to embody an incredibly unselfish approach to their matches, despite often going considerably ahead of their opponents with an ever-growing points tally. England fullback Ellie Kildunne touched on this after the win in Sunderland, as the fullback could have bagged herself a hat-trick on a few occassions, but instead passed the ball to an easier try-scoring option.

Jones echoed the sentiments of her England teammate, with the vice-captain by no means down-trodden to miss out on the 11-try tally from the Red Roses' latest win. Jones believes firmly in the good of the team, with a selfless attitude brimming throughout the squad as England search for their first Rugby World Cup title since 2014, after taking home silver medals from the finals in 2017 and 2022.

"It's huge. It's really important for us. I think bottom line is, we're here to win, and it doesn't matter what it looks like. It's not about the individual, it's about the collective, and it's how we bond together that's really important for us. So, staying connected is really important."