Teenage star Bella Vogel guides USA Women past Italy to extend unbeaten WXV run

The USA Women’s Eagles made it four consecutive Test wins by defeating Italy 36-27 at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium on Saturday, with teenage back Bella Vogel delivering another commanding performance to extend the Americans’ unbeaten WXV Global Series 2026 campaign.

The result means Jack Hanratty’s side have now beaten three Guinness Women’s Six Nations nations this autumn, following earlier victories over Ireland and Wales in September. The Eagles face Italy again next week in Nashville before closing out 2026 by hosting England in New Jersey.

USA co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding opened the scoring after a series of forward carries drove the Eagles deep into Italy’s 22, with Vogel adding the conversion. Italy responded immediately through Exeter Chiefs wing Francesca Granzotto, whose grounding was closely scrutinised by match officials before being awarded.

Vogel then took matters into her own hands, dropping her shoulder in midfield to surge the hosts forward before releasing the ball to No. 8 Freda Tafuna, who offloaded to Perris-Redding for her second try. Hope Rogers then crashed over twice in five minutes as the Eagles reverted to their forward-dominated style, before Vittoria Vecchini — registering her 17th Test try — gave Italy a foothold on the stroke of half-time to make it 26-12 at the break.

The second half was more competitive. Perris-Redding completed her hat-trick just six minutes after the restart, but Italy rallied with tries from Aura Muzzo and Vittoria Zanette — the latter coming while USA’s Telesi Uhatafe was in the sin bin. Italy replacement loosehead prop Giorgia Cuoghi was herself sent to the sin bin for a high tackle in the 60th minute, and a Vogel penalty with four minutes remaining sealed the result before Granzotto’s second try proved a consolation.

At the centre of the Eagles’ performance was Vogel, still a teenager with just eight Test caps to her name. The Life University student, usually deployed at inside centre, initially made her international debut at fly-half against the Black Ferns before being moved back to her preferred position. With Nina Mason now installed as the principal playmaker, Vogel has been freed to operate in her natural role — and the results have been striking. Her combination of carrying ability, distribution, and composure under pressure has marked her out as one of the most exciting young players in the women’s game.