Thousands of people are set to descend on Sunderland to enjoy a parade and live music in celebration of the Women's Rugby World Cup. England are set to take on the USA in the opening match of the tournament at the Stadium of Light on later and the city centre is hosting events to promote the tournament.

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

Rugby authorities see America as a vital new market for the sport. The United States will stage the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the women’s tournament in 2033.

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.

The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is set to dominate the headlines over the days and weeks to come as England bid for glory in their home tournament. Fans will be delighted by the amount of free-to-air coverage,

The World Cup, held in England, kicks off Friday with a match between the host team and the United States. International rugby authorities hope the tournament will mark a turning point for the sport.

USA's Ilona Maher looks ahead to the opening game of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup vs. England.