“This is an exciting time for USA Rugby. We’re kind of in the unknown,” said Eagles women’s co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding in front of her WXV Global Series opener vs Ireland at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
“It’s going to be really tough at times on and off the field, but we’re building and I think this is the first time I can say for sure that this group has real, real potential, which is exciting.”
Having represented the USA Women’s Eagles since 2022, Perris-Redding has experienced a period of transition within the team. Now, the 29-year-old flanker believes the change is starting to translate into something more meaningful: the foundations of a team poised to challenge the best in the world.
“I’ve been in the lineup for a few years now, and our team has remained very, very consistent, especially in the build-up to the World Championships, so the change we have in this team is exciting,” explained Perris-Redding.
“Don’t get me wrong – it comes with its own challenges because we have a mix of experience, staff and everyone at different stages, so it’s difficult at times, but it’s so important to the growth of this squad, and I think the overarching feeling is excitement and potential.
“I believe I’m one of the best teams in the world, you have to enjoy what you’re doing. I know some people might not agree with that, but I think you have to want to be on that field. You have to want to go to a dark place, and I think this group has that, so I hope there’s more of that in this WXV Global Series.”
Perris-Redding has already played a central role in the Eagles’ campaign this year, co-captaining the team and playing every minute of their matches against New Zealand, Australia and Canada in the Pacific Four series.
Earlier in the summer, the USA turned in one of their most encouraging performances of the year when they beat the Springbok Women 26-19 at Loftus Versfeld to level their two-Test series.
After losing the opening Test 34-21, the USA responded the following week, with several less experienced players stepping up to the demands of international rugby throughout the series.
“With a newer group and some people getting international rugby experience, Test rugby is a lot tougher than you think,” she added.
“With the diversity we have in the squad, it’s going to take some time for us to really come together and be more cohesive, but I think the fact that we’ve been able to turn that around in a week says a lot about this team.
“You can clearly see that we have a lot of youth in this team, and the highest level some of them have played is college rugby, so that’s a huge step.
“I mean South Africa “was actually vital to those learnings and realizing, ‘Oh, this is what Test match rugby is like,'” the winger said.
The Eagles now face another significant test in their opening match of the WXV Global Series against an Irish side looking to establish themselves among the world’s top teams.
For Perris-Redding, however, the challenge is also an opportunity to see how far the evolving US identity can take them.
“For us as a team, we’ve scouted Ireland a lot. We know they’re a very physical and clinical team, and I think it’s very obvious that they’re chasing the top four and they want to be one of the best teams in the world.”
“It was a difficult week for us in preparation for them, but I think the game they want to play suits us, because as a team we are also very physical.
“If we can meet them in front of our physical form and now our new attacking style, I think it will be a good game.”
So while the Eagles are still figuring out what this new-look team can become, that uncertainty is probably part of the fun.
With youth, experience, plenty of physicality and a growing belief in their new style, they head into the WXV Global Series with a goal to prove.
Ireland will provide a stern test at Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium, but for Perris-Redding and the US Women’s Eagles, that’s exactly what they want.
They want big games. They want physical fights. They want to find out how good this group can be.
And if the US can turn all that potential into performance, this could be the start of something very exciting.