eagles.rugby — The match day 23 for the USA Women’s Eagles WXV Global Series campaign opener against Ireland in Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium this Sunday, September 20 has officially been locked in. USA fans can catch the action live on Paramount+ from 8:45 a.m. ET. [lead photo: Susan Maxwell for USA Rugby]

The USA Women have been in camp in Dublin for the past week and a half preparing to kick off their five-game campaign with intensity from the off. Their first assembly after their last match in South Africa which saw the USA Women fight back to take the win and close out the competitive two- test tour. The Eagles look to kickstart that momentum as they take on 5th-ranked Ireland. The USA Women currently sit a close 8th behind the Irish Women on the World Rugby table.

With the summer tour delivering high-pressure international contests, making strides solidifying the USA’s high tempo style of play, the Eagles now look to continue striking as they build depth in the squad with starts from newer XV call-ups Abigail Paton, Tessa Hann and Kayla Cannet.

Returning from injury, front row powerhouse Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele and lock Rachel Ehrecke return to the starting pack, while co-captain Erica Jarrell-Searcy makes her return from the bench. Also returning from injury, Emily Henrich starts at inside center while Life University’s Nina Mason looks to make her first start in a USA jersey as a replacement in the backline.

Head coach Jack Hanratty commented:

“South Africa was really beneficial. From an athletic performance standpoint, we learned a hard lesson the first test about the physicality of test match rugby, but by game two, we really refined the physicality in terms of the on- ball effort. We know though that to compete with teams that are ahead of us in the world rankings that it’s about off-ball effort. So, how we realign off ball, how we work our kicking game which we expect Ireland to bring.”

“We’ve had a great couple weeks here in Ireland though. 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 got to start against a very in-form Irish team in Ireland – which will be such a big test – and then let us 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.”

Following Sunday’s match in Ireland, the team will then have a six-day turnaround, traveling to Wales for their second test in Cardiff on September 26. The USA women will then return stateside for an October assembly ahead of playing host to three home games completing the five-match WXV Global Series circuit.

Tickets to see the USA Women’s Eagles take on Italy in Mansfield, Texas, just one month away on October 17, and again in Nashville, Tenn., on the 24th. A Rugby World Cup rematch against England’s Red Roses in New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium occurs Oct. 30. Tickets are on sale now at https://eagles.rugby/tickets.

USA ROSTER v IRELAND

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

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

*uncapped

USA WXV SCHEDULE

vs Ireland | Sunday, Sept 20
Dublin, Ireland – Tallaght Stadium | 8:45 a.m. ET (1:45 p.m. local)

vs Wales | Saturday, Sept 26
Cardiff, Wales – Cardiff Arms Park | 10 a.m. ET (5 p.m. local)

vs Italy | Saturday, Oct 17
Mansfield, TX – Texas Health Mansfield Stadium | 5 p.m. CT

vs Italy | Saturday, Oct 24
Nashville, TN – Geodis Park | 3:15 p.m. CT
Double Header with USA Men v AUS XV | 6 p.m. CT

vs England | Friday, Oct 30
Harrison, NJ – Sports Illustrated Stadium | 5:15 p.m. ET
Double Header with USA Men v AUS XV | 8 p.m. ET

STAFF

Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Jeremy Steinbach | Head of Athletic Performance
Toby Bolton | Assistant S&C
Callum Howells | Analyst
Sam Malette | Lead Athletic Trainer
Janie Kleumpers | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Lee Ann Hewitt | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Dr. Irvin Sulapas | Team Doctor
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
Alana Gattinger | Head of High Performance Operations
Jo Hull | Head of Women’s High Performance
Tamara Sheppard | General Manager of High Performance
Jenni Burke | Director National Team Media & Communications