The USA Women’s Eagles prep continues into the second week of WXV 1, as the team prepares to meet France on the pitch. Head Coach Sione Fukofuka announced today the match day 23 roster. USA v France kicks off 3:30pm ET Saturday, October 5, live on RugbyPass TV.
The USA and France last played each other during the Super Series 2019, where France defeated the Eagles in a July match in San Diego. The Eagles’ last win against France was in 2013. France heads into this weekend after a loss against Canada in their WXV 1 opener. Also coming off a loss against England but with noticeable improvements, the Eagles will hit the pitch with energy.
Most of the starting lineup heading into Saturday remains the same, with Lotte Sharp coming in to the left wing position. Set to appear in her 25th match with the Eagles, Alev Kelter moves to outside center while Gabby Cantorna comes into inside center. Rachel Johnson and Tess Feury vice captain alongside Captain Kate Zackary.
“As a team we were relatively pleased with our first 70 minutes against England but really want to create more opportunities to attack, so bringing Gabby Cantorna in allows us to have a second organizer on the field and increases our vision to attack within our system. Alev is a dangerous ball carrier and we feel that the outside channel will provide her with space that she can cause havoc in. Lotte returns to us after a great preseason at Saracens and provides experience in the back field and is a threat whenever she is around the ball.
We know that we need to play for the full 80 minutes this week in order to be in position to get the result. We are very aware that France is a very dangerous team that has threats across the park in their pack, halves and centers, so we have been working hard on our connected line speed and dominant collisions. We created a number of turnovers last week, so are keen to repeat that pressure on France. Through our attack, we will be looking to launch off our scrum and lineout to create the momentum we want to unleash the outside threats we have in the team.”
| NAME | CLUB | CAPS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 48 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder | Loughborough Lightning | 23 |
| 3. Charli Jacoby | Exeter Chiefs | 30 |
| 4. Erica Jarrell | Sale Sharks | 11 |
| 5. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 20 |
| 6. Tahlia Brody | Leicester Tigers | 13 |
| 7. Kate Zackary (C) | Ealing Trailfinders | 38 |
| 8. Rachel Johnson (VC) | Exeter Chiefs | 30 |
| 9. Taina Tukuafu | Berkeley All Blues | 11 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins | Colorado Gray Wolves | 18 |
| 11. Lotte Sharp | Saracens | 16 |
| 12. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 30 |
| 13. Alev Kelter | Loughborough Lightning | 24 |
| 14. Cheta Emba | USA Sevens | 10 |
| 15. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning | 19 |
| 16. Paige Stathopoulos | Beantown RFC | 11 |
| 17. Maya Learned | Colorado Gray Wolves | 13 |
| 18. Keia Mae Sagapolu | Leicester Tigers | 12 |
| 19. Rachel Ehrecke | Colorado Gray Wolves | 16 |
| 20. Tessa Hann | Colorado Gray Wolves | 1 |
| 21. Cassidy Bargell | Beantown RFC | 2 |
| 22. Nana Fa’avesi | USA Sevens | 8 |
| 23. Tess Feury (VC) | Leicester Tigers | 29 |
Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach | Mel Bosman
Assistant Coach | Sarah Chobot
Team Doctor | Rebecca Rodriguez (Week 1)
Team Doctor | Marvin Valencia (Week 2&3)
Lead Physiotherapist | Emily Lauer
Physiotherapist | Sam Malette
Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley
Performance Recovery Coach | Sylvia Braaten
Lead Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Team Manager | Lindsay Wilson
USA v England | 21-61 (L)
TRIES | A. Kelter (2), K. Zackary
CONV | M. Hawkins (3)
USA v France
Saturday, October 5, 2024 | 3:30pm ET
Live on RugbyPass TV
USA v Ireland
Friday, October 11, 2024 | 3:30pm ET
Live on RugbyPass TV
