Courtesy of USA Rugby

LAFAYETTE, CO — Following an extensive search process, Saracens women’s head coach and director of rugby Rob Cain has accepted an offer to become head coach of the United States women’s national 15s team, USA Rugby announced today. 

Cain, who possesses a wealth of experience in developing athletes, will serve as the first full-time head coach in the history of the women’s program. 

With his intended start early this summer pending visa approval and the role based at the Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista, CA, Cain looks forward to embedding himself in the American landscape and making an immediate impact in the new era of the women’s program. 

"I am both humbled and excited for such an incredible opportunity to join the USA Rugby family and become the first full-time women's national team head coach,” Cain said. “I want to thank both Saracens and USA Rugby for their patience throughout this extensive process. I am looking forward to our journey to the 2021 World Cup." 

Join us in welcoming @Rc1Beast as full time Head Coach for the USA Women's National Team ???

STORY » https://t.co/yvGwPsR240 #LetsGoEagles pic.twitter.com/tUf718b8dw

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) May 14, 2018

In four seasons with Saracens Women’s Rugby, Cain set remarkable benchmarks. He led the squad to its first English Premiership and National Cup titles in more than seven years during his first season, made Premiership Playoff and National Cup Final appearances in 2017 with a brand-new starting XV of young athletes aged 18-23, and secured a 2016-17 Singha 7s Premiership title. 

In April of this year, Cain capped his successful run by leading the Saracens Women to the inaugural Tyrrell Premier 15s Championship with a 23-woman roster featuring eight teenagers.  

Cain also served as head coach for the London & South East U18s where he won the UK School Games title. Prior to that, he led the Templars 7s RFC to a 2012 Super 7s Series victory, earning Coach of the Series honors and proving his unique abilities in developing athletes and establishing new culture across all levels of the sport. 

“It is imperative that we bring in a proven, world-class coach to advance the level of play for our women’s national team—we have that in Rob,” said Ross Young, USA Rugby’s interim CEO. “Rob has a track record of building programs through skills training and mentorship of both coaches and athletes. His selection builds succession into our long-term strategy.”

The USA women’s national team last took the pitch at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland, where it placed fourth after making it to the bronze medal match against France. Cain and all of women’s high performance will immediately continue finalizing details of a November Tour so the Women’s Eagles may further their journey to the 2021 World Cup. 

Pending visa approval, Cain will begin his role this summer as a consistent presence for athletes and staff training across all sectors of women’s high performance.