2026 WXV Global Series preview: USA Women's Eagles

When Jack Hanratty took over as head coach for the USA Women’s Eagles prior to this year’s Pacific Four Series, it was clear that the Eagles were starting a journey firmly pointed towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033 on home soil.

Of course, there is a desire to build a strong squad to compete at the 2029 edition in Australia, but there is also a significant element of looking at the long game.

With that in mind, you’d imagine Hanratty and his staff are reasonably happy to have secured two wins in his opening five matches so far this year.

A heavy 48-151 defeat to the Black Ferns was somewhat to be expected in the opening match of the Pacific Four Series, but a week later the Eagles turned over the Wallaroos. A defeat to Canada – much like New Zealand, a team further ahead in their development than the USA – rounded off a campaign that brought a much-needed first win under Hanratty.

The next test came in July when the Eagles travelled to South Africa for a two-match tour. The Springboks won the first game 34-21 in Ellis Park, Johannesburg – the game taking place as a curtain raiser to South Africa’s men side taking on England – before the Americans squared the series thanks to a 26-19 victory at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

At the time, Hanratty expressed his disappointment not to leave the southern hemisphere with a pair of wins. Yet considering they’re still in the early days of his tenure, not to mention the travel factor, you would suspect he’d have been reasonably satisfied with drawing the series.

Given there is still an inevitable transition period with a new coach, the calibre of opposition on the schedule and the unpredictability that comes with playing away from home, you’d suspect that the USA are quietly satisfied with their winning return so far this year.

Biggest Tests

The biggest tests for the Eagles come at the start and end of their WXV Global Series campaign. First up, Hanratty’s side have a trip to his native Dublin to take on Ireland at Tallaght Stadium.

The end of this WXV Global Series run sees the USA welcome England to New Jersey on Friday 30 October. Playing against Ireland and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 champions England will comfortably be the best teams the Eagles face across the upcoming five-match stretch.

In between, there is a trip to Cardiff to take on Wales, before Italy head to the USA for a pair of matches in Texas and Nashville.

In terms of on-field questions, arguably two of the biggest areas the Eagles could improve are their skillset and kicking.

In each of their three Pacific Four Series matches, the USA did not kick as often as their opponents, while their turnover count consistently hit double digits. Hanratty spoke extensively ahead of the Pacific Four Series of his desire to familiarise American players across the board, not just at national level, with the kicking strategies required to succeed in modern rugby.

The scrum was also a problem at times against the Boks, as well as restarts, with both sides in that series struggling to regather possession and consolidate after scoring.

Another question is the identity of the person filling the all-important number 10 shirt. Prior to the first game of the year against the Black Ferns, Hanratty made a big call when giving Bella Vogel, a 19-year-old debutant who was more accustomed to playing 12, a start at fly-half.

She started four consecutive games in the 10 jersey, only moving back to 12 for the most recent victory over South Africa. Kristin Bitter instead got the nod at fly-half on that day.

Star Players

Six tries in five matches from a prop? Difficult to argue with that return. Hope Rogers, the Exeter Chiefs’ loosehead, has been in prolific try-scoring form this year, showing a strong nose for the line with a series of close range finishes.

With 63 caps to her name, the experience of the Eagles’ most-capped player is invaluable in a side that is undergoing some regeneration.

In Hanratty’s last XV against South Africa, seven players had fewer than 10 international games to their name, especially when one of those is tighthead Elizabeth Cook, a debutant on that tour.

Elsewhere, number eight Freda Tafuna has arguably been the Eagles’ most impressive player in recent times. Player of the match in the second South Africa test, she notched six turnovers in that game. She also was one of the Eagles’ best carriers, making plenty of ground in both contests.

We mentioned Vogel above, and while she has moved from 10 back to 12 more recently, she has been backed by head coach Hanratty as a player with plenty of promise. Given her centre background, she is already one of the best defensive 10s on the circuit, while her ability to kick off both feet has earmarked her out as someone who can lead the growth of the USA’s kicking game.

Predictions

All things considered, the USA will probably be targeting two wins across this WXV Global Series window – three would be a sensational and a best case scenario return.

Assuming that being competitive against Ireland on their own patch and England wherever they play will be a step too far, that leaves an away date with Wales and a pair of home Tests against Italy for the USA to target.

Wales, of course, are no slouches. They troubled Ireland for much of their 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations defeat in Belfast. With Jasmine and Alisha Joyce returning to play their domestic rugby in Wales, presumably ensuring they have better availability for domestic training, this is a group that should be more familiar with each other as they look to head in a positive direction.

Still, based purely on rankings, the USA should be confident given they are four places ahead of their Welsh hosts according to the global rankings. For all the positive aspects of some performances, it has been a difficult year for Wales given they secured the wooden spoon in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations.

Regardless, they will back themselves to compete with the Eagles given the game is on home soil in Cardiff. It also remains to be seen how the USA pitch up to Cardiff Arms Park, after what promises to be a bruising encounter in Dublin.

On paper, the two matches in Italy back in America should be a taller task. The Italians finished fourth in the 2025 Women’s Six Nations and are ranked sixth in the world, compared to the Eagles who sit in eighth place.

Yet this is a unique opportunity for Hanratty and his side, as they welcome Italy to America over the course of a fortnight. A proper tour.

It will be fascinating to see how the travel affects various teams across this WXV Global Series. The USA will certainly back themselves against a higher ranked team and you wouldn’t be surprised to see that two-match series drawn.