USA Women's Eagles name squad to open WXV Global Series against Ireland in Dublin

The USA Women’s Eagles have named their matchday 23 for the WXV Global Series opener against Ireland at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, with head coach Jack Hanratty describing the seven-week campaign as a chance to measure his side against the world’s best.

The squad has been in Dublin for the past week preparing for the fixture — the team’s first competitive outing since a Test-series draw with the Springbok Women in July. Hanratty has opted for a powerful forward pack, headlined by the return of prop Mae Sagapolu, who missed that July tour through injury. She lines up alongside Eagles record cap holder Hope Rogers and Kathryn Treder in the front row.

Hallie Taufoou and Rachel Ehrecke start at lock, with Hann Humphreys and Freda Tafuna joining co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding in the back row. Co-captain Erica Jarrell-Searcy is named among the replacements. In the backs, Bella Vogel starts at fly-half alongside Abigail Paton at scrum-half, with Emily Henrich and Tessa Hann in midfield and a back three of Erica Coulibaly, Telesi Uhatafe and Kayla Canett.

Hanratty framed the series as a progressive test, with the Eagles building toward a headline clash against England. “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,” he said.

“We’re excited that we get to start against a very in-form Irish team in Ireland — which will be such a big test — and then let’s 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.”

After facing Ireland, the USA travel to Cardiff to play Wales before returning home for fixtures against Italy in Texas and Nashville in October. The series concludes with the match against England in New Jersey. Uncapped replacement Nina Mason is the only player in the 23 without international experience.