USA Women’s Eagles named for final test match of Autumn Internationals against Ireland
Victory over England A sets Eagles up for final test match of Autumn Internationals
DUBLIN, IRELAND – Women’s Eagles’ Head Coach Rob Cain has named his match-day 23 to face No. 8 Ireland this Sunday, Nov. 18 at 8 AM ET, LIVE on Irish Rugby YouTube Channel.
In their final battle of the Autumn Internationals 2018 — and after the Women’s Selects achieved a hard-fought 25-24 victory over England Academy earlier this week — the starting XV will feature seven changes from the Eagles’ last test match with the senior England Women.
“It’s been a really positive experience against New Zealand and England but I think the group really needed that win over England Academy, they fought really hard for it,” said Head Coach Rob Cain, reflecting on the touring squad’s overall experience this fall. “The amount of work that went into that has paid dividends for us to have a positive outlook for this week and we’re really excited about Ireland.”
USA’s forward pack will see Nick James and Katy Augustyn back at prop and hooker, respectively, while Kristine Sommer will earn the start at lock.
The backs will feature Carly Waters in at scrum half with Jennine Duncan earning a starting position at wing. Duncan joins the starting XV after coming off the bench to score the Eagles’ lone try last week against the senior England Red Roses. Waters and Duncan are accompanied by Kimber Rozier and Meya Bizer who join the starting XV at center.
After a collection of new Eagles made their debuts through the duration of the Autumn Internationals, the Women’s Eagles could see one more new cap awarded to reserve Tiana A’au this Sunday.
The contest will mark the first time the United States women have faced Ireland in more than four years with the most recent being a loss at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 in France. Having only met three times in the past two decades, the Americans own a 2-1 record against the Irish Women.
USA will kickoff their final contest of the Autumn Internationals 2018 against Ireland at 8 AM ET, LIVE on Irish Rugby YouTube Channel.
U.S. Women’s National Team Starting Roster
Player | Position | Club | Caps |
1. Catie Benson | Prop | Life West Gladiatrix | 16 |
2. Katy Augustyn | Hooker | Berkeley All Blues | 32 |
3. Nick James | Prop | Houston Athletic | 5 |
4. Stacey Bridges | Lock | Beantown Rugby | 35 |
5. Kristine Sommer | Lock | Harlequins (ENG) / Seattle Saracens | 6 |
6. Rachel Johnson | Flanker | Oregon Sports Union | 2 |
7. Kate Zackary (C) | Flanker | San Diego Surfers | 8 |
8. Jordan Gray-Matyas | No. 8 | Women’s Sevens Residency | 17 |
9. Carly Waters | Scrumhalf | New York Rugby | 1 |
10. Gabby Cantorna | Flyhalf | Glendale Merlins | 2 |
11. Jennine Duncan | Wing | Seattle Saracens | 1 |
12. Kimber Rozier | Center | Beantown Rugby | 29 |
13. Meya Bizer | Center | Women’s Sevens Residency | 17 |
14. Kelsi Stockert | Wing | Women’s Sevens Residency | 7 |
15. Kaitlyn Broughton | Fullback | Atlanta Harlequins | 2 |
U.S. Women’s National Team Reserves
16. Tiana A’au | Reserve | Central Washington University | 0 |
17. Azniv Nalbandian | Reserve | Penn State University | 2 |
18. Joyce Taufa | Reserve | Lindenwood University | 2 |
19. Alycia Washington | Reserve | New York Rugby | 16 |
20. Anna Karen Pedraza | Reserve | Lindenwood University | 3 |
21. Evan Hoese | Reserve | Berkeley All Blues | 1 |
22. McKenzie Hawkins | Reserve | Lindenwood University | 2 |
23. Megan Foster | Reserve | San Diego Surfers | 5 |
U.S. Women’s National Team Staff
Head Coach | Rob Cain
Assistant Coach | Richard Ashfield
Assistant Coach | Kate Daley
Assistant Coach & Team Manager | Jamie Burke
Head of Physical Performance | Ian Jones
Head Performance Analyst | David Gardner
Team Doctor | Terrence Cronin
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Katherine Henry
U.S. Women’s National Team Schedule | Autumn Internationals 2018
vs Ireland
Sun, Nov. 18 | 8 AM ET
Energia Park, Dublin, Ireland
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