Rachel Johnson (rugby union)

Last updated

Rachel Johnson
Date of birth (1991-02-05) February 5, 1991 (age 34)
Height1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight82 kg (181 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020–2025 Exeter Chiefs 65 (125)
2025– Denver Onyx 1 (1)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018–Flag of the United States.svg  United States 33 (0)

Rachel Johnson (born February 5, 1991) is an American rugby union player. She plays Flanker for the United States and for Exeter Chiefs in the Premier 15s. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

Johnson has a bachelor's degree in Community Health from Portland State University. [3]

Rugby career

Johnson made her Eagles debut against New Zealand in 2018. [4] [5] She joined Exeter Chiefs in 2020 and scored a try on her debut against Saracens and thus ending their 33-match winning streak. [4] [6]

She was named in the Eagles squad for the 2022 Pacific Four Series in New Zealand. [7] [8] She was selected in the Eagles squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. [9] [10] [11]

Johnson was named in the Eagles traveling squad for the 2023 Pacific Four Series. [12] [13]

In 2025, she announced her retirement from Exeter Chiefs and the Premiership Women's Rugby competition. She is committed to playing for the Eagles in the Pacific Four Series in May and the Rugby World Cup, which will kickoff in August this year, but would not be returning to the PWR for the 2025–2026 season. [6] [14] She joined the Denver Onyx for the inaugural season of the Women's Elite Rugby competition. [15] [16]

She started in the Eagles 33–39 loss to Japan in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025. [17] [18] On July 17, she was selected for the Eagles side to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup that will be held in England. [19] [20]

References

  1. "Eagles pair Rachel Johnson and Joanna Kitlinski join Exeter". Americas Rugby News. January 8, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  2. "USA quartet to return to Exeter". BBC Sport. July 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  3. "FEATURE INTERVIEW: RACHEL JOHNSON". www.zeeon.co.uk. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Rachel Johnson | Exeter Chiefs Player List". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  5. "Eagles pair Rachel Johnson and Joanna Kitlinski join Exeter". Americas Rugby News. January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Johnson announces retirement from Chiefs and the PWR". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  7. "Eagles name Pacific Four traveling squad". Americas Rugby News. May 10, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  8. Cahill, Calder (May 9, 2022). "USA Women's Eagles traveling roster named for Pacific Four Series 2022". USA Rugby. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  9. Cahill, Calder (September 14, 2022). "USA Women's Eagles Rugby World Cup roster named as the official countdown to New Zealand begins". eagles.rugby. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  10. "Kate Zackary leads Eagles squad to Rugby World Cup". Americas Rugby News. September 16, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  11. Mockford, Sarah (October 9, 2022). "USA Women's Rugby World Cup Squad 2022 – USA 10-22 Italy". Rugby World. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  12. "Eagles name traveling squad for Spain series". Americas Rugby News. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  13. Dean, Taylor (February 28, 2023). "World Rugby Pacific Four Series returns for 2023 with USA Women's Eagles Traveling Roster and Schedule Confirmed". eagles.rugby. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  14. "Rachel Johnson announces retirement from Chiefs and the PWR". www.thepwr.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  15. Perkins, Bruce (February 19, 2025). "Women's Elite Rugby – Our first Roster!". 4 The Love Of Sport. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  16. Lane, Ro (February 18, 2025). "Denver Onyx Announce 2025 Athlete Roster". Women's Elite Rugby. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  17. Cahill, Calder (April 24, 2025). "Roster confirmed as USA Women's Eagles make 2025 debut against Japan". eagles.rugby. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  18. Cahill, Calder (April 27, 2025). "Women's Eagles lose close contest to Japan in Los Angeles". eagles.rugby. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  19. "USA name squad for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". Rugby World Cup. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  20. Burke, Jenni (July 17, 2025). "USA Women's Eagles Squad ready to make their mark as the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is revealed". USA Rugby. Retrieved July 18, 2025.