G oing into their WXV Global Series game against England’s world champion Red Roses in Harrison, New Jersey, on Friday, the US Eagles women have five successive wins and a squad mixing great experience with great youth. Among potentially great younger players is the first American ever nominated for a major World Rugby award.

“I keep getting told like, ‘Oh, don’t let your head get too big,’” laughed Bella Vogel, the 19-year-old center or fly-half from Washington Boro, Pennsylvania, nominated for Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year. Still a student at Life University in Marietta, Georgia , she has had an extraordinary season.

“Honestly, like in my head, yes, I [was nominated] but I could not have done it without the team,” Vogel said, previewing the England game alongside the Eagles coach, Jack Hanratty. “They make me look good. My job is to make other people look good, but I just give the ball to Freda, and she runs through 10 people.”

Freda Tafuna , the US No 8, is only 23.…