Linda Djougang tells BBC Sport about her rugby journey, from travelling from Cameroon to Ireland aged nine, to playing for her adopted country in a World Cup.

SUNDERLAND, England — Ilona Maher’s mission at the Women’s Rugby World Cup is about more than just winning games. Heading into the United States’ tournament opener on Friday, the world’s most followed rugby player on social media wants to get more eyeballs on the sport as it ramps up attempts to crack the market in America.

Only 6% of girls aged 8 to 25 currently play rugby, 86% have never tried it and 36% say they would be more likely to play if they saw more girls taking part, the study claims.

A record Women’s World Cup crowd watched the Red Roses thrash the United States to get the tournament started in style