Ilona Maher among key picks in USA's Women's Rugby World Cup squad

Kate Zackary will captain the USA Women’s Eagles at the Rugby World Cup for the second time, with USA Rugby unveiling the full 32-player squad as part of a special live-streamed event from Washington D.C.

Zackary took up the captaincy in 2018 before leading the team at the postponed Rugby World Cup in New Zealand three years ago. This will be the skipper’s third appearance at the showpiece event, having also gone to the 2017 edition in Ireland.

After taking home an award from the ESPYS from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, social media star Ilona Maher joined the squad in the capital for the squad announcement. Maher delivered a sensational speech, raising awareness of “the biggest event in women’s rugby.”

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Maher is one of 14 backs included in the squad, and 18 forwards have also been named. More than 300,000 tickets have already been sold for the World Cup, which is more than double the last tournament in New Zealand, making this a must-see event that starts next month.

“This Rugby World Cup isn’t just about us — it’s about showing the next generation what’s possible. We want kids across the U.S. to see this team and think, ‘That could be me.’ Rugby in America is growing, and we’re here to kick that door wide open,” Zackary said.

“This squad is driven and ready to rewrite our story. We have the opportunity to play the sport we love at the highest level — and we don’t take that for granted – and are relentless in it’s pursuits. We’re here to elevate each other and push beyond every limit, together.”

After a seventh-place finish at the last World Cup, the USA Eagles seem determined to improve at this year’s edition in England. The USA have been drawn in a tough pool along with Samoa, Australia, and tournament hosts England.

The USA had a chance to test themselves against one of their upcoming World Cup rivals in May, taking on Australia at Canberra’s GIO Stadium. Charlotte Caslick was among the standouts for the Wallaroos, who won 27-19 on a cold night in the capital.

Canada and New Zealand also beat the Americans during the Pacific Four Series, but there were genuine signs of promise from the Eagles during that competition. They will take on Canada in one last preparatory match on August 1 before the World Cup gets underway.

“We have a squad full of strong, powerful women who have stories of sacrifice and commitment to the game of rugby. We are excited to turn all of those individual stories into team success,” coach Sione Fukofuka explained in a statement.

“We will celebrate Hope Rogers in her fourth Rugby World Cup who joins an esteemed number of players to play in four tournaments. It is a testament to her work ethic and commitment to being the best Loose head in the world, that she has managed to not only play in four Rugby World Cups, but also to stand out for the Eagles across the past 12 years.

“This USA Women’s Eagles squad is a combination of players with multiple Rugby World Cup’s experience and exciting players about to play in their first World Cup. We have a strong emphasis on our work rate, physicality and the ability to compete in all aspects of the game, and we have deep belief in our potential as a team.

“As a team, we are excited about the possibility of playing to our potential and unlocking the style of rugby that we feel we are able to play. We want to change the game in the US, which includes putting on performances that highlight the strengths of the US and allow our players to go out there and express themselves by being direct, creating opportunities and converting these into points.

“The Rugby World Cup is a platform that we hope will help put rugby at the forefront of the Women’s Sporting landscape in the US. In the lead up to the 2033 World Cup in the US, we want young girls watching the game changers on the field in the US jersey and get excited to one day be what they can see.”

USA Women’s Eagles squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup

Props
Hope Rogers – Exeter Chiefs – 4th Rugby World Cup
Maya Learned – Denver Onyx – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Charli Jacoby – Exeter Chiefs / Queensland Reds – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Keia Mae Sagapolu – Leicester Tigers / ACT Brumbies – 1st Rugby World Cup
Catie Benson – Sale Sharks / Boston Banshees – 3rd Rugby World Cup
Alivia Leatherman – Trailfinders / Twin Cities Gemini – 1st Rugby World Cup

Hookers
Kathryn Treder – Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Paige Stathopoulos – Ealing Trailfinders / Boston Banshees – 1st Rugby World Cup
Hope Cooper – Bay Area Breakers – 1st Rugby World Cup

Locks
Hallie Taufoou – Loughborough Lightning / Denver Onyx – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Erica Jarrell-Searcy – Sale Sharks – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Rachel Ehrecke – Denver Onyx – 1st Rugby World Cup
Emerson Allen – Twin Cities Gemini – 1st Rugby World Cup

Backrow
Tahlia Brody – Leicester Tigers / Denver Onyx – 1st Rugby World Cup
Rachel Johnson – Exeter Chiefs / Denver Onyx – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Freda Tafuna – Lindenwood University – 1st Rugby World Cup
Kate Zackary – Ealing Trailfinders – 3rd Rugby World Cup
Georgie Perris-Redding – Sale Sharks – 2nd Rugby World Cup

Scrumhalves
Olivia Ortiz – Sale Sharks – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Cassidy Bargell – Boston Banshees – 1st Rugby World Cup

Flyhalves
McKenzie Hawkins – Denver Onyx – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Kristin Bitter – Denver Onyx – 1st Rugby World Cup

Centers
Alev Kelter – Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers – 3rd Rugby World Cup
Emily Henrich – Leicester Tigers / Boston Banshees – 1st Rugby World Cup
Ilona Maher – Bristol Bears / USA Sevens – 1st Rugby World Cup
Nana Fa’avesi – Denver Onyx – 1st Rugby World Cup
Gabby Cantorna – Exeter Chiefs – 2nd Rugby World Cup

Wings/Fullbacks
Erica Coulibaly – Denver Onyx – 1st Rugby World Cup
Cheta Emba – Boston Banshees – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Bulou Mataitoga – Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers – 2nd Rugby World Cup
Sariah Ibarra – USA Sevens – 1st Rugby World Cup
Lotte Sharp – Saracens – 2nd Rugby World Cup

USA Women’s Eagles RWC 2025 Coaches & Staff

Head Coach, Attack + Backs: Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach, Defense: Sarah Chobot
Assistant Coach, Forwards + Attack: Mel Bosmam
Head of Athletic Performance: Charles Dudley
Assistant S&C: Ashley Morataya
Analyst: Callum Howells
Lead Physiotherapist: Alice Mae
Athletic Trainer: Sam Malette
Performance Psychologist: Scott Goldman
Team Manager: Alana Gattinger
Team Services: Aiyana Gilliard
General Manager, High Performance: Tamara Sheppard
Media Manager: Jenni Burke

USA Women’s Eagles RWC 2025 Match Schedule

USA vs England
August 22 | 2:30 pm ET | Stadium of Light, Sunderland

USA vs Australia
August 30 | 2:30 pm ET | York Community Stadium, York

USA vs Samoa
September 6 | 8:30 am ET | York Community Stadium, York

Quarterfinals begin September 13