Photo credit Judy Teasdale (left) and Rugby World Cup (right).
Author: Press Release
USA Rugby will host a three-weekend international rugby series this October in Dallas, Nashville, and New Jersey featuring the USA Women’s Eagles against Italy and England and the USA Men’s Eagles against Australia XV.
The series will open with the USA Women’s Eagles - as part of World Rugby’s WXV Global Series competition - facing Italy in Dallas on October 17th. On October 24th in Nashville, the Women’s Eagles will meet Italy again, before the USA Men’s Eagles take on Australia XV. The series will close October 30th in Newark with a second doubleheader featuring the Women’s Eagles against England, and the Men’s Eagles in a rematch against Australia XV.
The series will include several notable international matchups for the Women’s Eagles as they face off against two familiar opponents. The USA last faced England in the opening match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, in front of a record-breaking crowd of more than 42,000. The Eagles last met Italy during the 2023 WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town, South Africa. This October, they will have the opportunity to host these opponents on US soil.
On the men’s side, the October series will add more high-level tests to the USA Men's fall schedule as they continue to build momentum against elite international competition in their buildup to Rugby World Cup 2027. The Men’s Eagles will face an Australia XV team in both Nashville and Newark, adding to the previously announced August 15th matchup against Argentina XV in Fort Lauderdale.
The USA last met Australia’s Wallabies in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in 2015 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
AJ MacGinty evades a tackler during the USA Men's Eagles test vs Australia in 2015 in Chicago. Photo Judy Teasdale.
"USA Rugby is excited to showcase USA Eagles' energy in new cities across the United States this October,” said USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren. “We're thrilled to host the WXV Global Series home games in Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey, and welcome international powerhouses Italy and England for some exciting action. Furthermore, as part of two doubleheader events, the USA Men’s Eagles taking on Australia XV will add to the excitement as fans get the chance to experience top tier rugby on US soil as we prepare for the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups."
This announcement reflects the collective ambition of USA Rugby and World Rugby to grow the game in the United States. As the region builds toward hosting the aforementioned World Cups, World Rugby and member unions are partnering to strategically position premium international rugby in key US markets.
World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby Sally Horrox said: “The WXV Global Series is a statement of intent for the women’s game. Building on an era-defining Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the Series provides quality competition, and further impetus for women’s rugby to reach, inspire and convert new fans. It creates new commercial and hosting opportunities for our national federations, and an exciting platform for the stars of the game to shine on the road to the next Rugby World Cup in Australia.”
“TEG Rugby Live is thrilled to be bringing world-class international rugby to three incredible US cities this October,” said TEG Rugby Live Managing Director Stephen Cottrell. “Bringing together some of the best teams in the women's and men's game, the series will showcase rugby's leading nations on American soil. It is a fantastic opportunity for fans across the United States to get behind the Eagles and experience elite international rugby right on their doorstep. We can't wait to welcome fans and deliver an unforgettable experience this Autumn.”
USA Rugby October Match Schedule (All Kickoff times are local)
Saturday October 17th - Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, Mansfield, TX USA Women’s Eagles vs Italy - 5:00pm
Saturday October 24th - GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN USA Women’s Eagles vs Italy - 3:15pm USA Men’s Eagles vs Australia XV - 6:00pm
Friday October 30th - Sports Illustrated Stadium, Newark, NJ USA Women’s Eagles vs England - 5:15pm USA Men’s Eagles vs Australia XV - 8:00pm
As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.
He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.
Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.
Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.
Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.
Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.
Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.
