Team USA arrive for World Cup match with England
BBCThe USA women's rugby team have arrived ahead of their match with England next week.
It is the first time the women's rugby world cup has been hosted in Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The match will be played on 22 August at 19:30 BST with both teams hoping to get off to a winning start in the tournament.
Deborah Griffin, president of the Rugby Football Union, expects the match next Friday to "take the roof off".
"It is just going to be such a joyous occasion and one that the north east can delight in," she said.
Jonathan Webb, vice chairman of World Rugby, has high hopes for record attendance figures after 40,000 tickets were sold.
"I think it will be close to a women's world cup record just for the opening game," he said.
Team USA met the England Red Roses at Sunderland City Hall and had a sing-along before preparations begin in earnest next week.
More than 300,000 tickets have been sold across eight venues, stretching from Sandy Park in Exeter to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, ensuring it will be the best-attended Women's Rugby World Cup.
