Erica Jarrell-Searcy on PAC4 and Swimming Start with Sale Sharks

Erica Jarrell-Searcy is eager to put on a performance on Friday evening as she leads the Eagles out for a rematch against Australia.

Pacific Four Series 2026 (PAC4) kicked off last weekend in Sacramento, where the USA faced New Zealand. Despite a strong start, it was not the Eagles’ Day, as the game ended 15-48 to the Black Ferns.

Their sights are now set on this weekend, where they face familiar foes Australia. The two teams last met in a thrilling World Cup pool-stage clash, which ended 31-31 in York.

One of the try scorers in that game (and in every game of the tournament) was Erica Jarrell-Searcy, who has now been appointed captain of the Eagles for the series.

On leading her country for the first time, she said:

“It’s not as different as you would think – well, the rugby part isn’t. I just have to check in with the referee and few more hundred times than I normally would,” she joked.

“Jack (Hanratty) challenged me early on not to let the captaincy and responsibilities take anything away from the way I play, so I try to use it as a positive motivator.

“Everything I do has to be emblematic of what the U.S. captain would do, and how that person would play.”

The second rower comes into the role with regular captain Kate Zackary sidelined through injury. Speaking on Zackary’s influence, Jarrell-Searcy said:

“Kate Zack has been a real idol for me from a very early age. I get a lot of credit for being a ‘walk-on’ and coming from horseback riding, but she was a soccer crossover who also captained the country.

“Her being able to take rugby by the horns and lead a space she didn’t grow up in is such an impressive feat – and very American.

“As a captain, it really rings true to me that I shouldn't be apologetic or wait for anyone to validate that my career has been long enough for me to have a voice.

“The time is when you make it, so being able to step into a space that Kate created for me has been really special.”

The Eagles compete in PAC4 against Canada, New Zealand and Australia, ranked second, third and seventh in the world respectively, with the USA sitting eighth.

“The matchups in PAC4 are such a great time to be part of it. Having New Zealand and Canada ranked so highly, and then the USA and Australia so evenly matched – it really feels like these are the matchups of the World Cup.

“To see that play out, with both high-level competition and close games, makes it a really cool series for the women’s game on the global stage.

“Every single match has something to offer, which is a really special thing.

“In terms of preparation, there’s no real substitute for playing regular games, so getting a stretch of matches in between USA camps is huge.

“It’s something we’ve talked about for years when looking at development pathways, especially for players with fewer caps.

“At Sale, the style we’re playing is really exciting and expansive, and it lends itself well to what we’re doing here.

“More broadly, just having players competing across leagues, in England, France, Ireland, and alongside players from New Zealand – where we are as a program right now, I can’t speak highly enough of the global game and what it’s doing to develop our team at all levels.”

Jarrell-Searcy will lead out the Eagles against Australia on Friday 17th April 20:00 CT / Saturday 18th April 02:00 GMT.

Watch the PAC4 series live here.