Women's Eagles named for final test match of Autumn Internationals against Ireland

DUBLIN, IRE. – 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 

Player	Position	Club	Caps
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 | November Internationals 2018

vs New Zealand 6-67 (L)

vs England | 5-57 (L)

vs Ireland
Sun, Nov. 18 | 8 AM ET
Energia Park, Dublin, Ireland