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Record-breaking victories and record attendances were the highlights of the Women’s Rugby World Cup’s opening match.

Ellie Kildunne’s incredible footwork, Julia Schell’s six-try performance, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s return as a New Zealand World Cup legend were all showcased in this incredible performance.

There was plenty to keep the eye, from notable victories for hosts England, Ireland, and Scotland to battling performances from minnows Fiji, Spain, and Brazil.

England, Canada, and New Zealand all had impressive victories in the beginning.

In Friday night’s opening matchup, hosts and favorites England defeated Ilona Maher’s United States 69-7.

World player of the year Kildunne appeared on the pitch after singer Anne-Marie’s performance at the ceremony’s opening ceremony.

On her way to a superb solo try, she kicked the ball through USA full-back Bulou Mataitoga’s legs like an England Lioness to create the match’s highlight.

Hannah Botterman, England’s top performer, also made a statement win.

Even so, there was still a sense of improvement, with head coach John Mitchell saying that England would “get better” and be even more clinical.

For the Red Roses’ next opponent Samoa on Saturday (17:00 BST), that’s a frightful thought for the other teams in the tournament.

With winger Schell scoring a remarkable six tries in the second half, world number two Canada equaled their best effort by defeating Fiji 65-7.

Schell claimed after the game that a supporter had bet her $200 that she wouldn’t score. She said, “I need to go see him and speak with him.”

Despite having only 13 players in the final quarter of their match, New Zealand blew it away to Spain 54-8.

Woodman-Wickliffe, the 21-year-old flanker who broke the world record, crossed twice to confirm her status as a world-class performer.

France’s 24-0 victory over Italy over the weekend was the closest point total to the weekend, which was a strong victory for one of their Six Nations rivals.

As the quality gap between the teams began to appear around the grounds, a large number of neutrals were supporting underdogs.

When Kolora Lomani scored a second-half try against Canada, there was a wall of noise in the amateur Fijians’ support.

When Brazil won their first World Cup point thanks to the assist of flyhalf Raquel Kochhann, they were roaring on loud in their only 17th Test match.

And Spain won the overcrowding crowd at York Community Stadium when Ines Antolinez scored a memorable try in overtime against New Zealand, who had lost six times.

Head coach Juan Gonzalez said, “We came here to try to inspire the Spanish girls.” “So we’re really happy with [that try],” the statement read.

In every match, aside from the first, there was a feeling that a well-known side was sticking to the script against a less well-known rugby nation.

That was the only exception to Wales being Scotland. In this year’s 24-21 victory over Scotland, only three points separated the pair at the Six Nations.

In Sunderland, England defeated the USA to break the World Cup attendance record of 42, 723 people on the opening night.

That defeated the 42, 579 that gave New Zealand the Eden Park final victory in 2022.

At the Stadium of Light, England supporters resoundingly urged the visitors to advance.

“The fans definitely made a statement,” he continued. After the Test, England’s Kildunne praised him for making that one truly special.

The highest attendance ever for a standalone women’s rugby game is 58 and 498, which was the result of England’s 2023 Six Nations victory over France.

The World Cup final, where tickets for the 82, 000-seat Twickenham stadium have sold out, will be a better match for that, as the tournament as a whole will be the event’s most popular edition.

375, 000 of the 470, 000 tickets sold, according to World Rugby, three times the number from the previous New Zealand World Cup, the tournament had just begun.

Scotland, who put aside off-field issues to win the record six-try victory over Wales, delivered one of the most impressive performances.

Scotland’s preparations were hampered by uncertainty surrounding player contracts, but on Saturday afternoon, they completely outplayed their opponents thanks to Francesca McGhie’s superb hat-trick.

Scotland, who were devasted by a late penalty for Wales in their World Cup opener three years ago, received sweet retribution for the victory.

They are also in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals, but Wales must also beat Canada to survive.

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm remarked, “The last three years I’ve had that moment on repeat when Keira Bevan slotted home that penalty in the final minute of the last World Cup.”

Eight years after their final World Cup game, Ireland won the game-winning game over Japan.

Since their last appearance on the World Cup stage, Ireland had endured shock qualifying elimination, concerns about funding, facilities, and playing conditions.

With only one member of the squad, replacement hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, having previously played at a World Cup, their performance in Northampton was made even more impressive.

“I’m so proud of each and every one of them,” said injured Ireland back rower Dorothy Wall. “It was amazing.

“One of the best efforts we’ve probably made as a team,” said the team.

Arne Slot merely desired certainty.

“Yes, it is,” says St. James’ Park. the manager of Liverpool asked during the game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.

On Monday night, Slot will have no doubts about where he is. That will be ensured by Geordies.

Newcastle’s first home game of the campaign is this. It is a bank holiday. Additionally, town is welcoming the champions.

However, the suitors of the wantawful striker’s suitors have risen to the occasion thanks to the Alexander Isak saga.

Eddie Howe was in no need of a reminder.

Howe based his opinion on personal experience. When their focus is on the task, his team have demonstrated what they can accomplish in front of a roaring St James.

Since Howe took over a team in deep relegation trouble in 2021, Newcastle have only lost a dozen top-flight games on home soil. During this time, the stadium is typically at its most ecstatic when a traditional big hitter visits.

In eight league and cup home games last year, Newcastle won six, drawn one, lost one, and lost one against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Spurs.

The fan organization Wor Flags hopes to do the same on Monday and has contributed to the setting.

After Isak made his decision to join Liverpool, it hasn’t been simple to put together a pre-game display.

Thomas Concannon, a Wor Flags volunteer and owner of a Newcastle season ticket, said: “We totally understand the situation.

Because there are so many different viewpoints on this entire situation at the moment, it’s very difficult for us as a group to come up with a unified one. “That’s why it’s been really difficult to get right.

“We believe we have the right tone,” the statement read. We’ll be going big, as we always do, but with the goal of supporting the pitch’s young players because that’s what matters the most.

What a moment for Hugo Ekitike to make his first trip to St James’ after Liverpool won the signing of the Frenchman last month ahead of Newcastle.

Ekitike is a player Howe knows well, and he can quickly produce a concise scouting report: very fast moving, intelligent, and good in the air. He also scores goals from both feet. That was the bottom line. Newcastle wanted him because of this.

“Howe said, “There’s no denying that I really like Hugo and have for a while.” We kept track of him for a while.

That is understated.

In fact, over the course of three and a half years, Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike three times.

When Ekitike wasn’t exactly a household name, Newcastle made their first move in January 2022.

However, the 23-year-old had untapped potential.

Few people are as familiar with that as former Brighton manager Oscar Garcia, who at the time worked for Ekitike at Reims.

Garcia recently told Sky Sports, “You do not find many strikers like him at that age.” He has a strong goalkeeping ability, is quick, mobile, and can score goals one against one. Because he has the ability to play both on- and off-the-field, he can fit into both teams with greater possession and with those with greater counter-attack skills.

Hugo “knows which areas he can improve,” but he also needs assistance to increase his potential in order to reach the heights that all those who know him can at.

However, Newcastle did not fail to recognize those traits among Premier League clubs.

Ekitike, who had endured a frustrating spell at Paris St-Germain, returned to Liverpool after spending some time admiring him.

Newcastle may have made Eintracht’s initial offer last month, but Ekiti, who had previously spoken to Slot, wanted to relocate to Liverpool for a sum of $69 million.

There is no denying that this action had an impact on the Isak saga.

If Newcastle had chosen Ekitike, the club would already have a potential replacement in place and had plenty of time to add an additional striker to replace Callum Wilson’s departure from last month.

Newcastle are in a race against the clock to find even one centre-forward before the end of September, let alone two, after Benjamin Sesko, who later joined Manchester United, was overlooked.

No wonder the club cannot anticipate the “conditions” of Isak’s sale being met in the closing stages of the sale.

Before going into the possibility of Liverpool making an improved bid for Isak, which ultimately gives Newcastle a choice given that the Magpies have been steadfast throughout,

It is understandable that no slot would be drawn on the possibility of Isak being replaced by Liverpool.

Regardless of the setting, the Liverpool manager understands what is in store for the match at St James’.

The size of the visitors’ task on Tyneside is highlighted by Newcastle’s victory over Liverpool in the last season’s Carabao Cup final.

According to Slot, “It has nothing to do with anything that is in the media.” You can expect anything if you travel to Newcastle.

“We played them three times last year, and each time, we saw an increase in their intensity. They were very intense especially the first 60 minutes of the away game (3-3 draw in December). They fully deserved the lead, and they outlasted us more in the League Cup final.

Max Dowman, who gave the Arsenal teenager advice following his Premier League debut, is credited by Wayne Rooney with having the entire football world talking.

At 15 years and 234 days old, Dowman became the second-youngest player to play for Arsenal after starting the game against Leeds United with a 5-0 victory on Saturday.

Rooney is one of the few people who can relate to the Arsenal winger’s background.

He made his Everton debut at the age of 16 in August 2002, making his debut just five days shy of his 17th birthday when he scored a stunning late winner against Arsenal two months later, becoming the Premier League’s youngest scorer at the time.

Rooney discussed the challenges that Dowman is likely to face in the upcoming months and years in a new BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.

Rooney remarked, “It’s crazy to play in the Premier League at that age.” “I’m aware that I played when I was younger, but I believe he is at least 150 days younger than I was.”

Even though he’s playing for Arsenal, every time he cuts inside you go “shoot,” he says, “is just refreshing to see a young lad get his opportunity.” You want him to “put it in the top corner.”

Although Dowman didn’t score his first goal, he did earn a penalty late in the game. Rooney was relieved that the 15-year-old had no say in choosing who to take it.

The former Manchester United striker continued, “If he gets it and scores, that’s great, but I was thinking if he misses that’s the difference. You suddenly get everyone, not everyone, but online people having a go at him.”

As his profile expands and the excitement over his potential grows, Dowman must maintain a sense of purpose.

“I’m sure Max and his family and friends are living in a fairy tale and a dream, and it’s probably not hitting home yet,” Rooney said. However, you can see that his future is very promising and that he will have a great future.

“Max Dowman is the name that keeps coming back whenever you speak to in football.”

Everyone finds it challenging. You should probably just stay close to your family and friends as soon as possible.

Listen to them because there will always be people out there who are attempting to be your friend or contact you, some for good and some for bad.

You just need to make sure you stay close to those who are more important to you and take their advice, not those that are outside.

Rooney claims that there are adjustments needed for a young player making their first team debut in addition to the physical aspect of the pitch.

It’s “surreal,” it says. It’s so strange that, according to Rooney, you’re in the youth team and then you’re in the first-team dressing room with some of your heroes.

For me, it was some of my heroes growing up, then we started playing, training, and eventually we became friends.

“I was by Duncan Ferguson’s home when I was there. I’m just relaxing with him and Alan Stubbs while he lived on the same street as me. And you ask, “What is happening here?” ‘.

It can be overwhelming, so you really need to get used to it right away.

You hope Max Dowman manages to deal with it and comprehends what is coming his way very soon, according to the statement that “from everything I’ve seen, Max looks like a very level-headed lad.”

Rooney’s most important counsel to Dowman is from within.

Enjoy it, please. He assured me that we will witness a lot of him, as well as a lot of his abilities, goals, assists, etc.

Make sure you enjoy it because it moves very quickly, Alan Stubbs used to say to me years ago.

You don’t think about it when you’re young, or you occasionally forget, but you enjoy it and make the most of it.