The USA Women’s Eagles are set to ignite a new era of American rugby this Saturday, April 11th in Sacramento, California, as they kick off the 2026 Pacific Four Series against New Zealand.
Teaming up with the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA), USA Rugby will host a 2 day festival with Friday Night Lights of the CRAA Women’s XVs National Women’s D2 National Championship, followed by a collegiate double header Saturday morning warming fans up for the PAC4 series kick off. Pacific Four Series tickets will permit access to all matches and are available at https://usa.rugby/pac4.
Fans at home can catch the USA Women’s Eagles in action live on Paramount+.
Coming off an 8th World Rugby ranking from their 2025 campaign, the Eagles are eager to hit the ground running on American soil and show the country what they are capable of.
This opening fixture promises to be an exciting display as the USA unleashes the bold new direction they are taking American rugby. Under the guidance of Head Coach Jack Hanratty and led on the pitch by Captain Erica Jarrell-Searcy, the matchday 23 features a strong veteran core while infusing fresh momentum from six potential debuts that have displayed standout performances to earn the number on the back of their USA Jersey.
Eager to put this shift in momentum to the test, Hanratty commented;
“Its been a fast learning for all staff and athletes, but the one thing that has been there from day 1 is the willingness and openness to create an Eagles style of rugby. We want to explore the game - give the right to try things and be adaptive and responsive to all elements in the game. We only know where we are when tested, and who better to be tested by than historically the most successful Women's rugby program in the world?”
With strength and leadership from familiar faces, USA fans can expect strong tackles and hard drives from forwards Hope Rogers, Freda Tafuna, and Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, while Rugby World Cup 2025 powerhouses Emily Henrich, Bulou Mataitoga and Alev Kelter look for fast breaks and tactical running lines.
Hanratty and coaching staff have injected new perspective and dynamic speed into the fold with the Eagles’ backline set to be orchestrated with Cass Bargell at scrumhalf pairing with debutant fly-half Bella Vogel, who earns her senior selection after climbing the ranks of the USA Pathways and Junior National Teams.
USA Sevens standout Hann Humphreys brings fresh 15s talent to the forward pack, earning a start at blindside flanker. Humphreys brings a relentless work rate and the high-octane style synonymous with the USA Women’s Sevens; also notable from Sevens teammates Bargell and Erica Coulibaly who brings electric pace to the wing.
This blend of speed and agility merged with the USA Eagles grit and tenacity will be essential as the Eagles look to better their 2025 meeting with 3rd ranked Black Ferns last year in New Zealand.
With debutants like Hope Cooper, Reece Woods, Abigail Paton and Telesi Uhatafe ready to provide impact from the bench, the Eagles are prepared to set the tone for the rest of the series and make their intentions known that USA Rugby plans to be a growing force as they work their way up the tables this 2026 season.
Furthering the excitement of Women’s rugby in the USA, the CRAA Women’s XVs National Championships will open the Pacific Four Series at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, April 10-11. Fans can help build the energy kicking off with Friday Night Lights and building the home-field advantage in Sacramento at Heart Health Park Tickets with tickets still available at https://usa.rugby/pac4
Three of the nation’s top women’s collegiate championships will join the Pacific Four Series ticket, offering a full 5-match slate to fans when paired with the headlining international double header between Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA. The now two-day festival of rugby represents a valuable opportunity to bring the USA Rugby international and collegiate game together on the biggest stage.
The match schedule will begin Friday, April 10 at 7:00pm PT with the Women’s D2 National Championship, followed by a collegiate double header Saturday morning and international double header Saturday evening. All matches will be played at Heart Health Park, where Pacific Four Series tickets will permit access to all matches.
| Number | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hope Rogers |
| 2 | Kathryn Treder |
| 3 | Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele |
| 4 | Hallie Taufoou |
| 5 | Erica Jarrell-Searcy (C) |
| 6 | Hann Humphreys* |
| 7 | Georgie Perris-Redding |
| 8 | Freda Tafuna |
| 9 | Cass Bargell |
| 10 | Bella Vogel* |
| 11 | Erica Coulibaly |
| 12 | Katana Howard |
| 13 | Emily Henrich |
| 14 | Bulou Mataitoga |
| 15 | Alev Kelter |
| 16 | Hope Cooper* |
| 17 | Reece Woods* |
| 18 | Alivia Leatherman |
| 19 | Emerson Allen |
| 20 | Ina Bailey |
| 21 | Abigail Paton* |
| 22 | Kristin Bitter |
| 23 | Telesi Uhatafe* |
April 11 | USA vs. New Zealand
7:00 pm ET - Heart Health Park (Sacramento, CA)
April 17 | USA vs. Australia
10:00 pm ET - CPKC Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
April 24 | USA vs. Canada
9:30 pm ET - SeatGeek Stadium (Chicago, IL)
Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Tom Clough | Head of Athletic Performance
Anna Unnasch | Athletic Trainer
Janie Kleumpers | Athletic Trainer
Alana Gattinger | Head of High Performance Operations, 15s
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
