The USA Women’s Eagles are kicking off the home leg of their WXV Global Series this Saturday, Oct. 17 inside Mansfield’s Texas Health Stadium. USA head coach Jack Hanratty has named the match-day 23 to face Italy at 5 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and remote fans can watch the match live on Paramount+. [lead photo: Deon van Der Merwe for USA Rugby]

The Eagles have momentum and renewed confidence returning from Europe, where wins against Ireland and Wales precipitated a jump in the World Rankings to 6th. After a recovery week, the team reconvened in Chula Vista, Calif., to sync and prepare for Italy this Saturday.

“The recharge week was just as important as our week in Chula Vista, where we really focused on evolving the way we approach and think about the upcoming challenges,” Hanratty said of the build.

“We have had some squad rotations and changes,” he added. “But since day one, we have said if we are going to challenge the top nations we are not looking to develop a world-class team but a world-class squad.”

Georgie Perris-Redding and Erica Jarrell-Searcy share captainship duties, with the former starting at #7 and the latter heading a power-packed bench that includes Kate Zackary, Paige Stathopoulos, Alivia Leatherman, Hann Humphreys, Mona Lisa Tupou, Taina Tukuafu and Katana Howard. The starting pack is identical to the one that faced Wales, the exception being Kapoina Bailey moving off the bench to starting blindside flanker.

There are a couple changes in the back line. Bulou Mataitoga has joined the lineup at wing and Ashley Cowdrey is taking over fullback. Euless native Telesi Uhatafe has moved from #14 to #11, but that still keeps her close to the sidelines that should be alive with hometown support.

“Our last four test matches have been away from home, and we managed to win 3 out of 4 in iconic stadiums, and grounds where we were not the fan favorites,” Hanratty closed. “All of those wins were one-score wins, and to be in tight test matches, the home crowed can shift the difference from a test win or loss.”

The USA Women’s Eagles follow the Texas fixture on Oct. 24 in Nashville, Tenn. The team’s fifth and final WXV Global Series match occurs Friday, Oct. 30 in Newark, N.J., against England. Tickets to both games are available at https://eagles.rugby/tickets.

USA ROSTER v ITALY

1 Hope Rogers
2 Kathryn Treder
3 Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele
4 Hallie Taufoou
5 Rachel Ehrecke
6 Kapoina Bailey
7 Georgie Perris-Redding (Co-Capt)
8 Freda Tafuna
9 Abigail Paton
10 Nina Mason
11 Telesi Uhatafe
12 Bella Vogel
13 Emily Henrich
14 Bulou Mataitoga
15 Ashley Cowdrey

16 Paige Stathopoulos
17 Alivia Leatherman
18 Mona Tupou
19 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (Co-Capt)
20 Hann Humphreys
21 Kate Zackary
22 Taina Tukuafu
23 Katana Howard

USA SCHEDULE

USA 40-36 Ireland
Tries: Perris-Redding, Rogers, Treder (2), Taufoou, Tafuna
Conv: Vogel (5)

USA 26-24 Wales
Tries: Tafuna (3), Coulibaly
Conv: Vogel (3)

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

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

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

USA STAFF

Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Jeremy Steinbach | Head of Athletic Performance
Nick Gallagher | Assistant S&C
Declan Oorlof | Analyst
Sam Malette | Head Athletic Trainer
Janie Kleumpers | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Dr. Anne Marie Zeller | Team Doctor
Lisa Boyer | Licensed Massage Therapist
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
Videographer | Owen Aschieris
Media Director | Jenni Burke