Last weekend, my family and I went to the penultimate Women’s Rugby World Cup match in York, and the day showcased the bright future that women’s rugby union and women’s sport have in England and around the world.

The fixture between the United States of America and Samoa was my first experience of women’s rugby union as well as international rugby union, and neither the day nor the match disappointed.

Over 7,000 supporters of all ages, nationalities and genders had come together to celebrate the women’s game, and the atmosphere displayed just how inclusive and entertaining the World Cup has been since its first match on 22nd August.

We were fortunate enough to be sitting in the row in front of the Samoan non-playing squad and coaches, and their enthusiasm for the sport and their teammates translated to the crowd so that the atmosphere throughout the game was a positive and captivating feeling which highlighted exactly what the tournament is about.

The Match

The United States opened the scoring with just over 5 minutes played as Freda Tafuna scored in the corner despite a strong start from the Samoan side.

Hope Rogers secured her brace with just over 23 minutes gone as the Americans showed their varied skillset through their country’s most capped women’s player before Cassidy Bargell spotted a gap to dot down underneath the posts to secure the bonus point.

Erica Coulibaly showcased her acrobatic skills as she dotted down in the corner to round off the scoring in the first half with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

Erica Jarrell-Searcy crossed over within the first minute of the second half as she crossed over for her third try in three matches before Tafuna powered over for her second and third tries of the afternoon.

Tafuna powered over for her fourth of the afternoon with just under 15 minutes remaining in the match before Samoa’s fullback Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung went within a few metres of scoring her side’s first try of the tournament.

However, USA’s Olivia Ortiz rounded off the scoring despite some brilliant Samoan defence to bring the game to a close with a 60-0 scoreline advantage to the United States of America.

GROUP A FULL-TIME: United States of America 60-0 Samoa

Despite both teams exiting the World Cup at the group stages, both nations showcased the best that women’s rugby union has to offer as they came together to compete in a tough and entertaining match on the world stage.

After the match, both squads came together to celebrate their own achievements as well as thank the fans and everyone involved in their campaigns in a lovely touch after the final whistle.

Three weeks of competition and seven matches remain, with this Saturday’s clash between New Zealand and South Africa kicking off the quarter-finals.

Canada vs Australia also takes place on Saturday before France vs Ireland and England vs Scotland round off the quarter-finals on Sunday, 14th September.