‘We’re trying to get some fireworks’: US men’s and women’s rugby teams seek Fourth of July wins

Amid America's 250th-birthday celebrations, the Eagles are facing tough challenges, looking for momentum and meaning on and off the field

Saturday is America's 250th birthday and a huge national holiday but the US Eagles will be working. The men are in Denver, kicking off the World Rugby Nations Cup against Portugal, champions of Europe's second tier. The women are in Johannesburg for the first of two games against South Africa, a double bill with the Springbok men facing England.

I'm dual nationality," said the women's captain, Georgie Perris-Redding, who speaks with a Manchester accent but was born in Detroit and whose development included a stint at the American Pro Rugby Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, a groundbreaking operation that nurtured US women's talent.

USA v South Africa and USA v Portugal are broadcast in the US on Paramount+.

Martin Pengelly writes on rugby in the US on Substack, at The National Maul.