US Rugby Happy Hour

Join Bill Baker on Eagles Overseas as we break down all the weekend action for USA rugby players competing abroad and on the international stage! From Saracens' tense PWR Next Gen Cup Final appearance featuring try-scorer Morgan Freeman and fullback Lotte Sharp, to the Men's Eagles' dramatic 28-26 come-from-behind Nations Cup victory over Hong Kong China powered by Kaleb Geiger and Chris Hilsenbeck, plus hard-hitting French Top 14 and ProD2 clashes. Tune in for all the stats, standout performances, and updates on our uncapped rising stars! Featured Players: Lotte Sharp (Fullback / Saracens - PWR) Morgan Freeman (Hooker / Saracens - PWR) Jack Iscaro (Prop / Paris - Top14) Nafi Ma’afu (Prop / Montauban - ProD2) Kapeli Pifeleti (Hooker / Provence - ProD2) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another excellent episode of U.S. Rugby Happy Hour! In this episode, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick kick things off with a little sports banter before diving into the booming youth and high school rugby landscape on the West Coast. We are joined by Rugby NorCal CEO and Fresno-based coach Nate Dalena, who breaks down what makes Northern California the largest and most vibrant state youth rugby organization in the country. Nate shares his expert insights on establishing structured league operations, bridging the gap between rugby and football through social media education, and the critical importance of introducing non-contact T1 rugby to younger age groups. We also explore the structural evolution of high school club and single-school divisions, the challenges of getting rugby on public school campuses, and why the future of American rugby is brighter than ever. Tune in for an inspiring, masterclass discussion on grassroots growth! —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://youtu.be/pm0Ibca65_E Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world.  http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠[email protected]⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Eagles Overseas with Bill Baker, host Bill Baker breaks down all the action from October 28 to November 1, 2026. We recap double-try performances in the PWR Next Gen Cup, key defensive efforts in Top 14 and ProD2, and standout performances from uncapped talent across the globe. Lotte Sharp (15 / Saracens - Premiership Women’s Rugby) Morgan Freeman (2 / Saracens - Premiership Women’s Rugby) Nick James (3 / Sale Sharks Women - Premiership Women’s Rugby) Olivia Ortiz (21 / Sale Sharks Women - Premiership Women’s Rugby) Kristin Bitter (10 / Montpellier - French Élite 1) Jack Iscaro (1 / Stade Français Paris - Top 14) Nafi Ma’afu (19 / US Montauban - ProD2) Kapeli Pifeleti (16 / Provence Rugby - ProD2) AJ MacGinty (10 / Bristol Bears - Gallagher Premiership) Nira Fowler (13 / DLA Piper Kowloon Rugby Club - Hong Kong Women’s Premiership) Ale Heaney (Forward/Cornish Pirates - Championship Rugby) Spencer Huntley (9 / Hartpury University - BUCS Super Rugby) Declan Cadden (23 / Leicester Tigers U23 - Premiership Academy) Aidan King (8 / Doncaster Knights - Championship Rugby) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to another dynamic segment of U.S. Rugby Happy Hour featuring "The National Maul" with veteran journalist Martin Pengelly! In this episode, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down with Martin to break down the massive weekend of international rugby coming to Sports Illustrated Stadium, highlighted by the surging USA Women’s Eagles taking on the world-class England Red Roses. Martin shares his expert analysis on the recent form of the USA squad, the phenomenal rise of breakout star Bella Vogel and Frida Tafuna, and why Canada’s historic back-to-back victories over England have completely shifted the global women's game. We also explore the men's international landscape, the realities of player development pipelines in the Top 14, and what to expect from the upcoming November tests. Tune in for an engaging, sharp-witted look at the state of rugby content and culture! —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://youtu.be/pm0Ibca65_E Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world.  http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠[email protected]⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. [email protected] Martin Pengelly is a Washington-based reporter and editor. His “The National Maul” Substack about rugby in the US. His first book, Brotherhood: When West Point Rugby Went To War, is published by Godine. https://thenationalmaul.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to another fun episode of U.S. Rugby Happy Hour! In this episode, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick kick things off with some lighthearted Halloween banter before diving straight into the massive weekend of international rugby coming to New Jersey's Sports Illustrated Stadium. We are joined by RugbyPass Contributing Writer and Women’s Rugby Editor Joe Harvey, who is live on the ground in the New York area to break down everything you need to know about the upcoming fixtures. Joe shares his expert insights on the surging momentum of women’s test rugby, the monumental growth of the USA Eagles under head coach Jack Hanratty, and what it will take for the Americans to challenge the powerhouse Red Roses. We also explore the global landscape of the women's game, the impact of cross-over talents, and what to expect as the USA men's side prepares to face the Australia 15s. Tune in for an engaging, deep-dive discussion into the heart of international rugby! —————————————— Connect with US Rugby Happy Hour: Twitter: https://x.com/AmerRugbyRising Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrugbyrising/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRugbyRising/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@americanrugbyrising Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanrugbyrising BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanrugbyrisin.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3OjEHf8 🎧 Listen to this and previous episodes of US Rugby Happy Hour on Youtube and your favorite podcast player today! Apple: bit.ly/3Uuj9u7 Spotify: bit.ly/3ZxjAa0 Youtube: https://youtu.be/pm0Ibca65_E Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out americanrugbyrising.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more! Hosts, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick are available for media opportunities and appearances. Contact information below. Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world.  http://www.americanrugbyrising.com⁠ ⁠[email protected]⁠ John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices