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

England have named an unchanged starting XV for Friday's opening game of the Women's Rugby World Cup against the United States in Sunderland.

The 29-year-old is set to make her first World Cup appearance after making the switch to the 15-a-side format.

England coach John Mitchell insists the favourites tag won't bother his side as they start their Rugby World Cup campaign

Tickets for September 27 showpiece at Allianz Stadium already sold out, with World Rugby claiming they could have sold 82,000 allocation two or three times over

But when the call came to represent the Red Roses, Shekells didn’t hesitate because she believes this home World Cup is a massive moment for women’s rugby in England. “I’m excited to see where the women’s game will go,” Shekells told Standard Sport. “It’s already on the rise, and I think a home World Cup will make it explode.

Sarah Hunter, the Red Roses defence coach, believes this month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup will attract more women into coaching roles.

Four nations taking part in the Women's Rugby World Cup have been welcomed to England with a ceremony in a town. The teams of Brazil, Ireland, Japan and South Africa attended an official welcome ceremony at Northampton's Guildhall on Saturday, ahead of the tournament, which begins on Friday.