Six years ago, the possiblity of filling 82,000 seats for a Women's Rugby World Cup final seemed fanciful. But a booming game has confounded expectations.

MANCHESTER, England - U.S. rugby player Ilona Maher said she is contemplating an offer to participate in WWE wrestling as a stepping stone to Hollywood after the Women's Rugby World Cup that kicks off on Friday in England.

As the Women’s Rugby World Cup arrives in the UK, Jodie Ounsley, 24, from Yorkshire, shares how she defied expectations – and why more women should give the sport a try

Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h, odds - The Red Rose hope to open their World Cup campaign with a statement win

Perris-Redding was born in Detroit but has played all her rugby in England’s north-west, from her junior career at Waterloo to her current role as Sale Sharks captain in the PWR. She may be on the away team this Friday, but she certainly feels right at home, with plenty of friends and family in the record 40,000 crowd at the Stadium of Light.

England head coach John Mitchell believes his Red Roses team "deserve large crowds" as ticket sales top 40,000 for their Rugby World Cup opener against the USA.

The attention of the rugby world turns to England as the Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off in Sunderland this Friday.