Teen center Bella Vogel, the first American nominated for a major World Rugby award, leads the USA's push to topple world champions England in New Jersey.
Bella Vogel is not letting the hype get to her. The 19-year-old from Washington Boro, Pennsylvania, is the first American ever nominated for a major World Rugby award, up for Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, and on Friday she gets her toughest test yet.
The USA Eagles host world champions England's Red Roses in Harrison, New Jersey, in the WXV Global Series. The hosts arrive with five straight wins and a squad that blends seasoned campaigners with exciting young talent. England come as the benchmark side in the women's game, and the Eagles will be looking to catch them off guard.
Vogel can play at center or fly-half and is still a student at Life University in Marietta, Georgia. She found rugby early and has turned that head start into a standout season. Teammates and well-wishers keep reminding her to stay humble, and she laughs it off, keeping her focus on the pitch rather than the praise.
For a young player with a global award nomination on her résumé, facing the reigning world champions is the ideal stage to show what the breakthrough label really means. A strong performance against England would be a statement for Vogel and for the American women's program.
The match will be broadcast in the US on Paramount Plus, and in the UK on the England Rugby YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer.
