Georgie Perris-Redding: This Eagles group has 'real potential'

“It’s an exciting time for USA Rugby. We’re in sort of an unknown,” said USA Women’s Eagles co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding ahead of their WXV Global Series opener against Ireland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

“It’s going to be really hard sometimes on and off the pitch, but we’re building, and I think this is the first time I can confidently say that this group has real, real potential, which is exciting.”

Having represented the USA Women’s Eagles since 2022, Perris-Redding has experienced a period of transition within the squad. Now, the 29-year-old flanker believes that change is beginning to translate into something more significant: the foundations of a team getting ready to be able to challenge the world’s best.

“I’ve been in the setup for a good few years now, and our squad has stayed very, very consistent, especially in build-up to World Cups, so the change that we’re having in this team is exciting,” Perris-Redding explained.

“Don’t get me wrong – that comes with its challenges because we do have a mix of experience, personnel and everybody at different stages, so sometimes it’s tough, but it’s so important for the growth of this squad, and I think the overarching feeling is the excitement and potential.

“I believe to be one of the best teams in the world, you have to enjoy what you do. I know some people might not agree with that, but I think you have to want to be on that pitch. You have to want to go to a dark place, and I think this group has that, so I’m hoping there’ll be more of that to come in this WXV Global Series.”

Perris-Redding has already played a central role in the Eagles’ campaign this year, co-captaining the squad and playing every minute of their matches against New Zealand, Australia and Canada in the Pacific Four Series.

Earlier in the summer, the USA produced one of their most encouraging performances of the year when they defeated the Springbok Women 26-19 at Loftus Versfeld to level their two-Test series.

Having lost the opening Test 34-21, the USA responded the following week, with several less experienced players stepping up to the demands of international rugby throughout the series.

“With a newer group and some people gaining experience of international rugby, Test match rugby is a lot harder than you realise,” she added.

“With the variety that we do have on the squad, it’s going to take some time for us to really come together and be more cohesive, but I think the fact that we were able to change that around in a week says a lot about this squad.

“It’s clear to see that we have a lot of youth in this team, and the highest level some of them have played is college rugby, so that step up is huge.

“I think South Africa was actually vital for those learnings and to realise, ‘Oh, this is this is what Test match rugby is like,’” said the flanker.

The Eagles now face another significant test in their opening WXV Global Series fixture against an Ireland side looking to establish themselves among the world’s leading teams.

For Perris-Redding, however, the challenge also presents an opportunity to see how far the USA’s evolving identity can take them.

“For us as a squad, we’ve very much previewed Ireland. We know that they’re a very physical and clinical team, and I think it’s very obvious that they’re chasing top four and want to be one of the best teams in the world.

“It’s been a hard week for us preparing for them, but I think the game that they want to play suits us because as a side, we’re very physical too.

“If we can meet them up front with our physicality and now also our new style of attack, I think it’ll be a good game.”

So, whilst the Eagles may still be figuring out exactly what this new-look team can become, that uncertainty is arguably part of the fun.

With youth, experience, plenty of physicality and a growing belief in their new style, they head into the WXV Global Series with a point to prove.

Ireland will provide a stern test at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, but for Perris-Redding and the USA Women’s Eagles, that is exactly what they want.

They want the big games. They want the physical battles. They want to find out just how good this group can be.

And if the USA can turn all that potential into performance, this could be the start of something very exciting.