RWC star Erica Jarrell-Searcy named USA captain for Pacific Four Series

Utility forward Erica Jarrell-Searcy will captain the USA Women’s Eagles during the 2026 Pacific Four Series, with USA Rugby making the leadership announcement ahead of this weekend’s Test against the Black Ferns in Sacramento.

Jarrell-Searcy was one of the standout players at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, with the lock-backrower racing away to score a try against eventual champions the Red Roses in the tournament opener in Sunderland.

In the USA’s second match of the tournament, Jarrell-Searcy scored a crucial try inside the last 10 minutes in a thriller against Australia. The Eagles and Wallaroos were held to a 31-all draw that evening at York Community Stadium.

The Bostonian, who began playing rugby at Harvard University while studying Molecular and Cellular Biology, is now set to take on more leadership responsibility as the USA Eagles prepare to take the field for their first Test in a new World Cup cycle.

“Captaincy is an opportunity to give back to a program that has given me so much and moulded me into the person I am today. It’s an honour to lead this group, and I just want to uplift them in the ways that I have always been uplifted in this environment,” Jarrell-Searcy said.

“Last year, we learned that performance goes so much deeper than individual effort and desire. Learning to advocate for and motivate a team to perform together as a single unit, when to celebrate and when to challenge the people and systems that make up USA Rugby, has been a big growth point and I’m looking forward to implementing those learnings this season.”

“The new talent (this season) is so bright and our staff are dedicated to bringing us all into a new age of USA Rugby together. Our squad is advanced enough now that our focus is shifting from technical detail to tactical planning, and that means we are getting to define and showcase our own brand of rugby.

“We hope to build on the momentum from last season and the Rugby World Cup and continue to showcase a fast and physical brand of American rugby, which is really exciting.”

Jarrell-Searcy first played rugby at Harvey University before earning selection for the 2018 Junior National Team Camp. The forward continued playing with Beantown RFC in the Women’s Premier League and was rewarded with a spot in the USA’s squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

USA Women

16:00

11 Apr 26

New Zealand Women

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But Jarrell-Searcy didn’t debut for the national team during the event in New Zealand, instead getting that opportunity a couple of years later against the Black Ferns. The USA’s new captain had gone on to make 19 appearances at Test level so far.

Nine uncapped players have been included in the USA’s squad for the Pacific Four Series, which includes six potential debutants in the forwards. Those players are Hope Cooper, Mikaela Hall, Hann Humphreys, Malia Isaacs, Olivia Woods and Reece Woods.

Jarrell-Searcy is one of four Sale Sharks players in this USA roster, joining Georgie Perris-Redding, Katana Howard and Olivia Ortiz in those squads for both club and country. There are other experienced PWR players in the group, including Hope Rogers from the Exeter Chiefs.

USA Women’s Eagles 2026 Pacific Four Series squad

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