Following an extensive three-week preseason at Life University in Marietta, GA where the USA Women’s Eagles gathered for a daily training assembly, player selected for the UK Tour against Scotland and England have officially landed in Edinburgh for their first of two matches.
Squaring off with Scotland first, this Saturday August 27 at 11 AM ET, the USA will look to find some momentum and activate learnings from the most recent Pacific Four fixtures this past June in New Zealand. Departing for the Rugby World Cup at the end of September, these two warm up matches are critical run outs for the team as they put their hands up for starting roles this October. Fans in the USA are able to tune in LIVE for free on The Rugby Network.
The USA have not played Scotland since 2006, when the late legend Kathy Flores was beginning her role as Head Coach, so much will be new to both squads as they rely on scouting and internal preparation. Both teams are coming off recent international competitions this summer, with the USA playing in the Pacific Four Series and Scotland the Tik Tok Women’s Six Nations. Though results were not what either team expected against top competition, each team are headed for New Zealand in October and will look to sharpen play in this pre-tournament warmup test match. For the United States, this fixture is one of two Rugby World Cup warmups with the second coming in Exeter against England on September 3, also live on The Rugby Network.
Veteran Kate Zackary will step onto the pitch as Captain for her 22nd international appearance, while Hope Rogers will tie Katy Augustyn for 4th all time on the Women’s Eagles cap list at 36. Young stand out and former Women’s Seven’s star Eti Haungatau also joins the traveling roster following her MA Sorensen Award nomination worthy year at Lindenwood. Alev Kelter also moves from her traditional Center position to Fullback. Most notably on the player roster is Life West's Jett Hayward, who has the opportunity to make her USA debut off the bench.
“Our 21 days in Atlanta was focused on being the best prepared we can be as we head into the Rugby World Cup. Understanding, refining and cementing our identity on and off the pitch. Aspiring for both the players as individuals and team to bring to life what we believe to be some key points of difference as a group. We also used this extended time to create behavior changes in both technical and tactical areas. All of this before culminated in our Rugby World Cup selection pre-departing for Scotland.
“Scotland have been in camp for six weeks, they have also in recent months committed to part time and full time contracts and have made some very big strides due to this professionalized contact time. They are very organized , very purposeful and look to maximize their ability to create a go forward off their set piece, dangerous ball carriers and kicking game.
“This a great opportunity to continue gauging where we are, showcase the hard work that has gone into the past three weeks as we continue to develop our own game ahead of New Zealand. We would like to see the development shown in camp also show through in real time under pressure, alongside our ability to adapt tactically on the pitch in real time. Playing time at this level is critical for us a group, we have two opportunities ahead of the Rugby World Cup and a further training game in New Zealand, but wea are well aware that our competition have had the opportunity to play many more test matches over the past two years.”
| NAME | CLUB | CAPS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 35 |
| 2. Joanna Kitlinski | Sale Sharks | 18 |
| 3. Nick James | Sale Sharks | 19 |
| 4. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 5 |
| 5. Jenny Kronish | Harlequins | 3 |
| 6. Jordan Matyas | USA Sevens | 21 |
| 7. Rachel Johnson | Exeter Chiefs | 12 |
| 8. Kate Zackary | Exeter Chiefs | 21 |
| 9. Olivia Ortiz | Colorado Gray Wolves | 9 |
| 10. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 12 |
| 11. Lotte Clapp | Saracens | 2 |
| 12. Katana Howard | Sale Sharks | 10 |
| 13. Eti Haungatau | Lindenwood University | 3 |
| 14. Jennine Detiveaux | Exeter Chiefs | 9 |
| 15. Alev Kelter | Saracens | 17 |
| 16. Jett Hayward | Life West Gladiatrix | Uncapped |
| 17. Catie Benson | Sale Sharks | 26 |
| 18. Charli Jacoby | Loughborough Lightning | 12 |
| 19. Evi Ashenbrucker | San Diego Surfers | 2 |
| 20. Georgie Perris-Redding | Sale Sharks | 2 |
| 21. Carly Waters | Saracens | 10 |
| 22. Meya Bizer | Beantown RFC | 20 |
| 23. Tess Feury | New York Rugby | 10 |
Head Coach | Rob Cain
Assistant Coach | Jamie Burke
Assistant Coach | Martin Haag
Head Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Head Athletic Trainer | Hilary Stepansky
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Meghan McKay
Lead Analyst | Callum Howells
Team Manager | Paul Santinelli
Liaison Officer | Arran Hain
Remote Support: Kate Daley, Jenny Liu, Rich Ashfield
USA vs Scotland | August 27, 2022 Edinburgh, SCO | LIVE on The Rugby Network
USA vs England | September 3, 2022 Exeter, ENG | LIVE on The Rugby Network
