The USA Men’s Eagles have capped a memorable summer by completing an unbeaten World Rugby Nations Cup window and climbing above the 70-point mark in the latest World Rugby Men’s Rankings for the first time since November 2024.
A 29-22 victory over Spain completed a perfect three-match start to the inaugural Nations Cup for the Eagles, following earlier wins over Portugal and Zimbabwe. The United States finished the summer window unbeaten, strengthened its position in the latest World Rugby Men’s Rankings and heads into November firmly in contention for the inaugural Nations Cup title.
Although the Eagles remain 14th in the rankings, climbing above 70 rating points represents another significant milestone in the team’s resurgence following the disappointment of missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Eagles and Georgia each completed the opening three rounds unbeaten, finishing level on 14 competition points. The United States topped the Southern Hemisphere standings, while Georgia finished first in the Northern Hemisphere. Three additional rounds in November will determine the inaugural Nations Cup champion.
By the Numbers
- Opening Window Record: 3–0
- Competition Points: 14
- Current Ranking: 14th
- Current Rating: Above 70 World Rugby ranking points
- October 2, 2023: 18th in the world (66.22 points)
- Ranking Improvement: Up four places since October 2023
A Statement Summer
The inaugural Nations Cup was created to provide meaningful international competition for ambitious rugby nations, and no team took greater advantage of the opportunity than the United States.
The Eagles opened the competition with a dramatic 30-29 victory over Portugal before backing it up with wins over Zimbabwe and Spain to complete a perfect 3-0 opening window.
One of the defining moments came in the opening match, when Chris Hilsenbeck’s late penalty secured victory over Portugal. Rather than simply surviving a tense finish, the Eagles used that result as a springboard, growing in confidence with each performance before completing an unbeaten summer campaign.
Three victories alone do not transform a rugby program, but the manner in which the Eagles earned them offered encouraging signs. They found a way to win a one-point thriller against Portugal, controlled much of the contest against Zimbabwe and closed out the summer with another composed performance against Spain.
For a team continuing to build toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup, consistency may be the most encouraging takeaway of all.
Just as importantly, the Eagles have placed themselves firmly in the race for the inaugural Nations Cup title. The United States and Georgia both completed the opening window on 14 competition points after winning all three matches, while Portugal (12 points) and Chile (10 points) also remain in contention before the competition resumes in November.
Closing the Gap
The latest rankings leave the United States in 14th place, directly behind Georgia.
Georgia also finished the opening Nations Cup window unbeaten, defeating Chile 49-22 to maintain 13th place, while Portugal remains 15th after edging Tonga 32-28.
Chile climbed to a record-high 16th despite losing to Georgia, benefiting from ranking-point losses suffered by Spain and Uruguay.
The margins between the teams immediately outside the world’s elite continue to narrow, and every international window now carries significant ranking implications. For the Eagles, the objective is becoming increasingly clear: continue closing the gap on the world’s top 12.
Italy Drop Out of the Top 10
Elsewhere, South Africa remain the world’s number one side despite New Zealand reducing the gap at the summit with a 40-21 victory over Ireland.
England strengthened their fifth-place position after defeating Argentina 31-24, while Scotland also gained rating points following a 33-17 victory over Fiji.
The biggest movement came just outside the top 10.
A 57-10 defeat to Australia completed a winless Southern Hemisphere campaign for Italy, sending the Azzurri tumbling from 10th to 12th after successive defeats to Japan, New Zealand and the Wallabies.
Japan returned to the world’s top 10 for the first time in three years, while Wales climbed to 11th.
Further down the rankings, Romania moved up to 21st after a dramatic comeback victory over Samoa. Hong Kong China climbed to 23rd following its last-gasp victory over Uruguay, while the Philippines were the week’s biggest movers, jumping nine places to 43rd after winning the 2026 Unions Cup.
From Rock Bottom to Real Momentum
The significance of the Eagles’ rise becomes even clearer when viewed through a wider lens.
On October 2, 2023, just days after the United States failed to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Eagles had fallen to 18th in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings with just 66.22 rating points.
It was one of the lowest moments in the modern history of the program.
Missing rugby’s biggest tournament forced the United States into a period of reflection and rebuilding. Results had stalled, confidence had dipped and the gap to many of the world’s leading Tier 2 nations appeared to be growing.
Nearly three years later, the picture looks very different.
The Eagles have climbed four places in the rankings, moved back above 70 rating points and completed the opening Nations Cup window unbeaten after victories over Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain.
The climb has not happened overnight, nor does it guarantee future success. But it provides measurable evidence that the program is moving in the right direction.
What It Means
An unbeaten opening Nations Cup window alone will not define this generation of Eagles.
What it does represent is tangible progress.
The United States has developed greater consistency, shown the ability to win meaningful international matches and taken another important step toward re-establishing itself among the world’s leading emerging rugby nations.
There is still work to do before the Eagles can consistently challenge the teams inside the world’s top 12, and sterner tests undoubtedly lie ahead.
But after rising from 18th in the world and 66.22 ranking points in October 2023 to an unbeaten 3-0 start in the inaugural Nations Cup while climbing above 70 ranking points, the trajectory is unmistakably upward.
The job, however, is not yet complete.
Three decisive Nations Cup matches remain in November, with the Eagles level on 14 competition points with Georgia after the opening window. If the United States can build on the momentum created this summer, the opportunity to lift the inaugural Nations Cup trophy remains firmly within reach.
The next challenge is ensuring this summer is remembered not as the destination, but as the foundation for something much bigger.
