United States women's national rugby union team
| Union | USA Rugby |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Eagles |
| Coach(es) | Peter Steinberg |
| Captain(s) | Shaina Turley, Kate Daley |
| Most caps | Jamie Burke (51) |
| First international | |
 United States 22 - 3 Canada  (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 14 November 1987) |
|
| Largest win | |
United States 121 - 0 Japan  (Melrose, Scotland 15 April 1994) |
|
| Largest defeat | |
 New Zealand 88 - 8 United States (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 11 September 1996) |
|
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 7 (First in 1991) |
| Best result | Champions 1991 |
The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team (known as the Eagles) was an international powerhouse during the 1990s — winning the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finishing second in the two following World Cups in 1994 and 1998. The team finished sixth in the 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup. The Eagles have set the standard for international competition, leading an ensuing wave of women's rugby growth and game development worldwide.
(Source: US Women's Rugby Foundation)
The History of women’s rugby in the United States can be traced back to three teams that existed in 1972 – The Colorado State University Hookers at Fort Collins; the University of Colorado, at Boulder; and the University of Illinois, at Champaign. During the mid-1970s women's teams began to spring up on college campuses across the United States. As those players graduated they went on to set up teams near cities and urban centers. At that time there was only one division for all women’s rugby. In 1975 United States Rugby Football Union was formed and contained four territories. At this time the women had their own Board of Directors and followed in parallel USARFU with four territories (East, Midwest, West and Pacific). In 1978 the first Women’s National Championships was held. The Chicago Women’s Rugby Club in Chicago, Illinois hosted this event. The winner of that championship was Portland, Maine.
In 1985 the first semblance of a national team was formed. An ‘invitation-only’ team was put together and made up of, arguably, the top women playing the game at the time. The team was named WIVERN and toured throughout England and France. The team finished the tour undefeated. Many of these players went on to be selected to the 1991 World Cup Team.
In 1987 the USA Women’s National Team was officially born with their first match against the Canadian Women’s National Team. Although the women were not permitted to wear the Eagle logo this match was sanctioned by Rugby Canada and USA Rugby. USA and Canada began holding an annual match, which became known as the CanAm series. For ten years the Women Eagles went undefeated in this test series.
In 1990 the Women’s National Team, competing under the name ‘USA Presidents 15’, traveled to New Zealand to compete in the historic Women’s World Rugby Festival. The WNT posted a record of 3-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of New Zealand. In 1991 the first Women’s Rugby World Cup was held at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Coached by Beantown’s Kevin O’Brien, a Welshman himself, and Minnesota’s Chris Leach, a South African the stage was set for the US Woman to bring home the Cup. Defeating New Zealand in semi-final play the USA Women advanced to the finals where they defeated England. Also in 1991 the first woman was elected to serve on the USARFU Board of Directors. Jamie Jordan was elected Treasurer for the BOD.
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