The WXV Global Series kicks off for the USA Sunday in Dublin with the 8th-ranked Eagles taking on 5th-ranked Ireland.
This is the next step in a series of difficult challenges for the USA team, which, by the end of 2026 will have seen them play 10 test matches, including six against teams ranked in the top six by World Rugby.
Head Coach Jack Hanratty looks at that run, with New Zealand at the start and England (October 31 in New York/New Jersey) at the end, and is realistic about what that means right now.
"The highest ranked teams we'll play our first and last, so I think, what a great way to to have a look at the fact that we know we're playing what looks like an unstoppable England at the end of this," said the USA Head Coach. "We're trying to build this. How much can we challenge? In what facets can we challenge England by the end of this? And if we challenge the world champions in some things, that means we're getting closer to being world class in those things, and that's what we're aiming for."
Ireland, in Dublin, is a real test for the USA team. They came out of South Africa with some praise from GRR but the team itself wasn't happy with the first game, which they lost.
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"I think we were very honest about what we didn't meet in test number one than in test number two, and I thought there was massive growth there," said Hanratty. "But we can't play like that against teams that are ranked higher than us. So we we have to make sure that we can't let them dictate how the game will be played, and then for us to respond to that."
"I think for us it was that with a newer group and some people gaining experience of international rugby, it's that test match rugby is a lot harder than you realize," added captain Georgie Perris-Redding. "But I think the fact that we were able to change that around in a week for me says a lot about this squad."
In this lineup against Ireland, Keia Mae Sagapolu comes in at tighthead prop. and Rachel Ehrecke comes in at lock as changes from the team that beat South Africa on July 11. The back row of Hann Humphreys, Georgie Perris-Redding, and Freda Tafuna returns in toto. But the halfback combo changes; scrumhalf Abigail Paton comes in after training with Matutū in Super Rugby Aupiki this Southern Hemisphere winter, and Bella Vogel moves from inside center back to her more customary position of flyhalf.
Emily Henrich starts at inside center, and she has been capped at both center positions and at wing. She partners with Tessa Hann. Erica Coulibaly returns to the Eagles and brings her pace to the wing, and 7s player Kayla Canett comes in at fullback.
"It's been a while since Kayla Canett's been involved in the 15s game," said Hanratty. "What an addition for us. Kayla loves rugby, and she's really skillful, and in training it didn't look like she's been out of the game for as long as as she has."
It is, overall, an experiences bench with Alivia Leatherman at prop, Kate Zackary at flanker, and lock Erica Jarrell-Searcy back from training with the USA 7s team. Nina Mason, who can provide cover at flyhalf, center, and fullback, and has an outstanding boot, could earn her first cap if she runs oin.
Mason had attended a playmakers camp run by Hanratty and was completely off the coach's radar until that camp.
"I didn't know who she was," said Hanratty. "I'd never met her before. I was there [with the Falcons] and I got to see her conduct herself off the field. And for me, I say this player in our squad because this is a young player that sees the game, that is really detailed, and just what she does naturally on the field was amazing."
The USA plays Ireland at 8:45AM ET Sunday, September 20. The game is live on Paramount+
