(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
USA Eagle Erica Jarrell-Searcy Gears Up for Her First Full Women’s Rugby World Cup
USA second row Erica Jarrell-Searcy is preparing for her first full Women’s Rugby World Cup experience in England after serving as a travelling reserve during the 2022 tournament in New Zealand. Now playing for Sale Sharks in the Premier Women’s Rugby (PWR), Jarrell-Searcy is ready to make her mark on the international stage.
“This year has been full-on, especially with my first few proper premiership seasons. I’m soaking it all up and focused on the World Cup,” Jarrell-Searcy said.
The 26-year-old Harvard graduate and recent bride is focused on helping the USA Eagles challenge hosts England in Sunderland when the tournament opens on August 22. While the Red Roses are favorites, Jarrell-Searcy believes a strong start and sticking to the team’s game plan could give the Eagles an edge.
“Rugby is a momentum sport. We want to play our rugby from minute one to 80, focusing on positives and finishing strongly,” she explained.
The Eagles have faced challenges in recent matches, including tough losses in the Pacific Four Series and their final warm-up match, but Jarrell-Searcy remains confident.
“The game is decided in the 80th minute. We need to stick to our plan and use the crowd atmosphere to our advantage, even if most of the support is for England,” she added.
Jarrell-Searcy’s sporting journey is unconventional. Before discovering rugby at Harvard, she excelled in basketball, cross-country, wrestling, and equestrian sports, even winning gold in Eventing at the 2016 Junior Olympics. She credits her horse-riding experience for building the core strength and body awareness that now benefits her in scrums, line-outs, and breakdowns.
“Horse riding taught me where to position my body, which translates perfectly to rugby,” she said.
Despite rugby being a niche sport in the US, Jarrell-Searcy sees a bright future for the Eagles, especially with the 2028 Olympics and 2031 Men’s World Cup set to be hosted on home soil.
“The US has amazing athletes. It’s about turning individual talent into a cohesive team. Our goal is to build a squad capable of quarter-finals and beyond at World Cups,” she said.
While the immediate results of the 2025 World Cup are uncertain, Jarrell-Searcy and the Eagles are laying the foundation for long-term success and leaving a lasting legacy for American women’s rugby.
