Eagles co-captain Perris-Redding backs USA Women's squad to challenge world's best at WXV

USA Women’s Eagles co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding has declared this squad the most promising she has been part of since joining the programme in 2022, as the Eagles prepare to open their WXV Global Series campaign against Ireland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

“It’s an exciting time for USA Rugby. We’re in sort of an unknown,” said the 29-year-old flanker. “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.”

Perris-Redding has been a constant presence in the Eagles setup across a period of significant squad transition, playing every minute of their matches against New Zealand, Australia and Canada in the Pacific Four Series this year. She acknowledges that the blend of experience and youth brings its own difficulties, but views the change as necessary for long-term growth.

“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,” she 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.”

One of the defining moments of the Eagles’ year came earlier in the summer when they defeated the Springbok Women 26-19 at Loftus Versfeld to level a two-Test series, having lost the opener 34-21. Perris-Redding pointed to that turnaround as evidence of the squad’s character, particularly given how many players were stepping into Test rugby for the first time.

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

The flanker credited the South Africa series as a vital learning exercise heading into WXV. “I think South Africa was actually vital for those learnings and to realise, ‘Oh, this is what Test match rugby is like.’”

Looking ahead to the WXV Global Series, Perris-Redding outlined what she believes separates the world’s elite teams — and why she thinks this Eagles group is beginning to develop those qualities. “I believe to be one of the best teams in the world, you have to enjoy what you do. 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.”