New Zealand began its defence of the Women's Rugby World Cup by scratching a 54-8 win over Spain in York on Sunday. The Black Ferns were comfortable eight-try winners — with only 13 players for the last quarter — but at the possible cost of flanker Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who suffered a right leg injury and was carried off the field in tears.

England are clear favourites to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which gets underway on Friday in Sunderland and runs until the final at Twickenham on September 27.

Red-hot trophy favorite England has launched its home bid for the Women’s Rugby World Cup crown by thrashing the United States 69-7 in front of a record-sized crowd in Sunderland