USA Women

The United States women’s rugby union team is one of the world’s finest. They won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1991 and finished as the competition’s runners-up in both 1994 and 1998. 

Although they’ve not returned to the final of the competition since, they are still widely regarded as one of the world’s strongest teams. As a result, they compete in elite competitions such as the WXV Global Series and the Pacific Four Series. 

Eager to find out if the Eagles can recapture their glory days? Follow their RWC progress, read the latest news about the team and explore their most recent results right here at RugbyPass.

The Eagles are one of only three teams to have lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup. They secured their historic victory at the inaugural 1991 tournament, where they were crowned as the first ever world champions.

During the tournament, the United States rugby team put on a series of dominant displays. In fact, they won their pool-stage fixtures (7-0 against the Netherlands and 46-0 against the Soviet Union) and their semi-final (7-0 against New Zealand) without conceding a single point. Their campaign culminated in a stunning 19-6 victory over England.

This monumental win established the USA as a real player on the international scene. They maintained this reputation during the next two RWC tournaments, finishing as the runners-up against England (38-23 in 1994) and New Zealand (44-12 in 1998).

Since then, the USA women’s rugby team has failed to repeat their early successes. However, they have remained perennial contenders. Recently, the Eagles produced a strong performance at the 2017 Rugby World Cup. They faced France in the bronze final, which ended 23-31, and took fourth place – their highest finish since 1998.

After crashing out at the quarter-finals in 2021, the United States contested their 10th Rugby World Cup in 2025. However, their campaign ultimately ended in disappointment, as they were dumped out during the pool stage. 

In the United States, women’s rugby established its roots during the 1970s. The sport owes its origins to three university teams (Colorado State University, the University of Colorado and the University of Illinois), which began competing in 1972. Three years later, the United States Rugby Football Union was formed.

Although the sport was still in its infancy, women’s rugby soon found its feet. By 1985, the first national women’s rugby team was formed. Two years on, the team contested their first international test. They faced their North American neighbours, Canada, and celebrated an impressive 22-3 victory. 

Over the following decades, the Eagles have produced some stunning results. Their defining moment occurred in 1991, when they won the first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup. Today, they are still the only North America team to win this revered tournament. 

Away from the RWC, the USA women’s rugby team has maintained a strong presence on the international stage. Aside from the Rugby World Cup, the Eagles also compete in the Pacific Four Series and the WXV Global Series. 

The Eagles squad features a host of talented players, many of whom compete in Women’s Premiership Rugby (PWR). This includes fullback Tess Feury and wing Lotte Sharp. However, the most famous player in the current squad is undoubtedly Ilona Maher. 

Two former USA players have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. The first is Rugby World Cup-winner, Patty Jervey, who made appearances at five consecutive tournaments (1991, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006). The second is Phaidra Knight, who represented the United States at three RWC tournaments (2002, 2006 and 2010). She was also named as the USA Rugby Player of the Decade in 2010.