Eagles eager to ‘challenge’ world’s best in WXV Global Series

The USA Women’s Eagles have named their match day 23 for the WXV Global Series opener against Ireland.

For the past week, the team have been in Dublin preparing for the fixture. It is the first time the team have played since their Test-series draw with the Springbok Women in July.

The team have opted for plenty of power up front. This includes the front row, where Mae Sagapolu returns after missing July’s tour with an injury. She joins Eagles record cap holder Hope Rogers and Kathryn Treder in the front row.

Hallie Taufoou partners Rachel Ehrecke at lock, while Hann Humphreys and Freda Tafuna join co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding in the back row. Erica Jarrell-Searcy, the team’s other co-captain, will start the fixture at Tallaght Stadium as a replacement.

In the backs, Bella Vogel marshals the team from fly-half, where she partners Abigail Paton. Emily Henrich and Tessa Hann combine in the midfield, while Erica Coulibaly, Telesi Uhatafe and Kayla Canett form the back three.

After playing Ireland, the USA will be hosted by Wales in Cardiff. In October, the Eagles will play WXV Global Series fixtures against Italy in Texas and Nashville, before taking on the Red Roses in New York.

Jack Hanratty, USA Women’s Eagles head coach, said: “We’ve been really challenging ourselves against each other, and now we’re excited to challenge other teams.

“Seven weeks is a long campaign as we approach this WXV Series, so we’re relying on our entire squad. Players have been great at taking on their individual roles – whether it’s as a starter or finisher or a part of our scout team – and that sometimes comes with disappointment or excitement.

“But we know that this is a really long process and we want to see what we can bring for every single game and challenge those teams that are near our World Ranking – as well as how we end with such a big game against what looks like a formidable and unstoppable world champion in England.

“So we’re excited that we get to start against a very in-form Irish team in Ireland – which will be such a big test – and then let’s see the growth of how we perform and if we can be battle-ready by the time we get to play the world champions at home in New Jersey.”

2026 WXV Global Series | USA Women’s Eagles match day 23 v Ireland

15 Kayla Canett
14 Telesi Uhatafe
13 Tessa Hann
12 Emily Henrich
11 Erica Coulibaly
10 Bella Vogel
9 Abigail Paton
1 Hope Rogers
2 Kathryn Treder
3 Mae Sagapolu
4 Hallie Taufoou
5 Rachel Ehrecke
6 Hann Humphreys
7 Georgie Perris-Redding (CC)
8 Freda Tafuna

Replacements
16 Alivia Leatherman
17 Chloe Hill-Huse
18 Reece Woods
19 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (CC)
20 Kapoina Bailey
21 Kate Zackary
22 Cassidy Bargell
23 Nina Mason*
*uncapped