England player ratings vs USA: Women's Rugby World Cup

Friday, 22 August 2025 at 21:18

byTom Sansom

England player ratings vs USA as John Mitchell's side started their home Rugby World Cup with a dominant win at the Stadium Of Light.

Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

England’s Red Roses made a spectacular start to their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign, thrashing the United States 11 tries to one at the Stadium of Light.

Sadia Kabeya opened the scoring after just eight minutes, powering over from a rolling maul, with Hannah Botterman adding a second following excellent play from Meg Jones and Abby Dow. The USA responded with a solo try from Erica Jarell-Searcy, but were soon reduced to 14 players after Alev Kelter’s illegal ruck intervention. England capitalised, with Maud Muir and Ellie Kildunne adding further scores.

The second half saw England continue their dominance, with Dow, Kildunne, Amy Cokayne, Jess Breach, and Lark Atkin-Davies all crossing the line. Kildunne’s flair and vision stood out, providing multiple assists. England finished emphatically, 11 tries to one, signalling a strong title tilt.

Scroll down for the England player ratings vs USA.

ENGLAND: 69

Tries: Kabeya (9'), Botterman (19'), Muir (34'), Kildunne (35', 48'), Dow (43'), Cokayne (53'), Breach (57', 65'), Davies (61',75')
Cons: Harrison (10', 20', 34', 36', 50', 61'), Sing (77')
Pens:

USA: 7

Tries: Jarrell (25')
Cons: Hawkins (26')
Pens:

England player ratings vs USA:

15. Ellie Kildunne – 9

Plenty of support the moment Kildunne first got her hands on the ball. Bagged England’s fourth try with some excellent link play with Abby Dow, showcasing pace for days, capped off with her trademark ‘lasso’ celebration. Felt the full force of Ilona Maher at top speed, which must have left a mark. Rapidly gathered Breach’s grubber kick to work her way over for a second try. Incredible work, unselfish, and provided back-to-back assists for Jess Breach. The second assist involved phenomenal control on Kildunne’s knee, perfectly suited to the football stadium setting.

14. Abby Dow – 7

Darting runs immediately questioned the USA defence. Burnt up the touchline at 34 minutes before playing Kildunne in for England’s fourth try. Currently a free agent after her Trailfinders exit, this was a perfect shop window for Dow to showcase her skills. On hand for England’s first try of the second half, diving over from close range.

13. Megan Jones – 8.5

Linked up brilliantly with the outside backs from the off. Sent Perris-Redding clattering to the deck with a powerful carry, resulting in a blood replacement. Delivered a precise nudge out wide for Abby Dow in the lead-up to Botterman’s try. Sent Lotte Sharp back 10m with an awesome hit on the half-hour mark. At her blistering best, Jones was a standout operator in an in-form Red Roses team.

12. Tatyana Heard – 7

Contributed trademark carries up the centre, though the midfield spotlight shone on Megan Jones. Strong first half, battled well defensively against the USA crash ball carriers. Provided the pivotal miss-pass to find Dow out wide as England reignited their try-scoring in the second half.

11. Jess Breach (Off 66) – 7

Added extra spark with electric chases. Threw her brand of organised chaos into the mix, England unleashing their speedster along the touchline. Missed a tackle on Erica Jarrell-Searcy, gifting the USA their first-half try. Scored at 57 minutes with Kildunne providing the walk-in assist over her own hat-trick. Bagged her brace with Kildunne once again central to the build-up; the two outside backs have a telepathic connection.

10. Zoe Harrison (Off 60) – 7

Made good on her first attempt from the tee in a tricky conversion. Stellar first 40 minutes from the boot, nailing four from four attempts at goal. Departed after slotting the extras for England’s ninth try, making way for Emily Scarratt.

9. Natasha Hunt (Off 60) – 6.5

Rapid around the park, the Gloucester-Hartpury co-captain kept quick ball alive like a whippet. Forced USA centre Alev Kelter to illegally disrupt her distribution, earning a trip to the sin bin. Like Jess Breach, Hunt missed the tackle on Erica Jarrell-Searcy, allowing the USA’s first-half try.

1. Hannah Botterman (Off 51) – 8

Powerful in the scrum, Botterman dominated an early exchange to win a penalty at the seventh-minute set-piece. Fended off a USA defender to muscle over for England’s second try. A starring effort and a fan favourite, Botts backed by everyone in the North East to make ground with ball in hand.

2. Amy Cokayne (Off 51) – 6.5

Some early communication issues in the line-out, but the hooker settled after 10 minutes and was ever-present at the breakdown with tireless work rate. Showed good touches to keep the ball alive, nearly breaking free from her own half before the referee called play back. Scored on her final touch as England went down the short-side following a maul.

3. Maud Muir (Off 51) – 7.5

Brutal in the scrum, combining with Botterman for a 13th-minute penalty. Drove for the line from close range to score England’s third try. A wrecking ball in the loose, requiring two defenders to bring her down.

4. Morwenna Talling – 6.5

The workhorse of the England pack, Talling stuck into every ruck, was a constant option on the attack, and sturdy in defence. An old-school lock’s performance in a modern era of women’s rugby.

5. Abbie Ward (Off 60) – 6

Knocked on early in contact while looking to break the line. Settled with dominant hits and hard yards, overcoming early set-piece miscommunications.

6. Zoe Aldcroft (Off 60) – 6

Took a nasty collision with Kate Zackary on the half-hour mark, receiving treatment on her knee. Battled on for a strong contribution despite the scare.

7. Sadia Kabeya – 7

Strong tackles from the start and scored the first try of the Rugby World Cup via an early rolling maul. Frequently seen in rucks, wrestling for every inch. Assisted Cokayne from a set-piece strike down the narrow side.

8. Alex Matthews – 6

Turned over the ball at the 14th minute, but made amends with solid defensive work to hold up the ball over her line. A solid, if understated, performance.