Women's Rugby World Cup opener 'exciting' for Sunderland

A city hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup opener between England and the US will build on its "special relationship" with its visitors.

Sunderland's Stadium of Light has been chosen as the venue for the start of next summer's tournament on 22 August.

Nearby Washington Old Hall is the ancestral home of first US president George Washington, and more than 3,000 people are employed by US companies based in and around the area.

Sunderland City Council leader Michael Mordey said it was "incredibly exciting", adding, "we are very much looking forward to welcoming the US team and their fans".

Tickets for all games go on sale on Tuesday at 11:00 GMT.

Organisers hope the tournament will have the same impact on women's rugby union in England as the Lionesses did on women's football, when they won their home European Championships in 2022.

RWC2025 managing director Sarah Massey described the tournament as a "showcase" of "the very best of women's rugby".

Sunderland signed a Friendship Agreement with the US capital Washington DC in 2006.

The city council said a number of firms including Nissan, AESC, Adient and Vantec also have plants in both Sunderland and the US.

Mordey said the opening fixture would create "a really electric atmosphere".

"Hosting the opening game is a wonderful opportunity and fantastic for our city and region to shine on the international stage at a time when Sunderland city centre is going through a £2 billion transformation, so it's brilliant news all round," he added.