Reaction after the Red Roses open their campaign with an 11-try win over the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

SUNDERLAND, England — Ilona Maher’s mission at the Women’s Rugby World Cup is about more than just winning games. Heading into the United States’ tournament opener on Friday, the world’s most followed rugby player on social media wants to get more eyeballs on the sport as it ramps up attempts to crack the market in America.

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

A record Women’s World Cup crowd watched the Red Roses thrash the United States to get the tournament started in style

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson believes his team now possess the necessary experience to make an impact at the Women's Rugby World Cup after some painful lessons at the last tournament in 2021. Narrow defeats to Wales and Australia led to the Scots' exit at the pool stage three years ago.

The Women's Rugby World Cup got underway on Friday with England's 69-7 drubbing of the United States. Few gave the United States a chance to win the opener, let alone to even keep things close against the host country.

The build-up to Beibhinn Parsons' first Women's Rugby World Cup has been, to put it mildly, less than ideal, but she is raring to go for the tournament.