USA Rugby has named its squad of 32 players to represent the country at Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 in England, with Kate Zackary captaining the side for the second time in her third Rugby World Cup.
The squad announcement was made as part of USA Rugby’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in Washington D.C.
The USA's blend of youth and experience - among the squad veteran loose head Hope Rogers is set to play in her fourth RWC - will take on host nation England in the tournament's opening match at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Friday, 22 August. They line up in Pool A and face further fixtures against Australia and Samoa.
"This Rugby World Cup isn’t just about us, it’s about showing the next generation what’s possible," said captain Zackary. "We want kids across the U.S. to see this team and think, ‘That could be me.’ Rugby in America is growing, and we’re here to kick that door wide open."
Stories of sacrifice and commitment
Head coach Sione Fukofuka added: “We have a squad full of strong, powerful women who have stories of sacrifice and commitment to the game of rugby. We are excited to turn all of those individual stories into team success.
“This USA Women’s Eagles squad is a combination of players with multiple Rugby World Cups and exciting players about to play in their first World Cup. We have a strong emphasis on our work rate, physicality and the ability to compete in all aspects of the game, and we have deep belief in our potential as a team."
The squad's preparation continues on Saturday, 19 July with a match against Fiji to be broadcast on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+. They then travel to Canada for a final warm-up match on Friday, 1 August before leaving for an acclimatisation camp.
USA were the first winners of a Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991 and reached the quarter-finals in the latest edition, Rugby World Cup 2021, played in 2022 due to Covid.
USA squad:
Emerson Allen
Cassidy Bargell
Catie Benson
Kristin Bitter
Tahlia Brody
Gabby Cantorna
Hope Cooper
Erica Coulibaly
Rachel Ehrecke
Cheta Emba
Nana Faavesi
Mckenzie Hawkins
Emily Henrich
Sariah Ibarra
Charli Jacoby
Erica Jarrell-Searcy
Rachel Johnson
Alev Kelter
Maya Learned
Alivia Leatherman
Ilona Maher
Bulou Mataitoga
Olivia Ortiz
Georgie Perris-Redding
Hope Rogers
Keia Mae Sagapolu
Charlotte “Lotte” Sharp
Paige Stathopoulos
Freda Tafuna
Hallie Taufoou
Kathryn Treder
Kate Zackary (captain)
