USA Women rematch Canada in North American rivalry

Wed, Jul 30, 2025, 4:44 PM
JB
by Jenni Burke
Photo Credit: Greg Sabin
Photo Credit: Greg Sabin

The USA Women's Eagles coaching staff has named the squad set to face North American rivals, Canada on Friday, Aug 1, this time on their home turf at TD Place in Ottawa.

The match will kick-off at 7:00 PM ET and will be available for USA fans to tune in live on Paramount+

This will be the last dance for the Women’s Eagles to fine-tune before departing for England for the final preparatory camp ahead of their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 window. The USA Women will be looking to better their recent result against Canada in the Pacific Four Series just months ago in Kansas City where the Canadians took the edge 26 point over the Eagles 14.

Head Coach Sione Fukofuka will be testing some new combinations with Cass Bargell starting as scrumhalf and Lotte Sharp and Cheta Emba joining on the wings. Georgie Perris-Redding and Freda Tafuna also enter into the Starting XV in the back row alongside Captain Kate Zackary.

Anticipating a sharp and physical match to solidify the mental and physical prep before shifting focus to Rugby World Cup 2025, both sides will have more than bragging rights on the line.

Fukofuka commented, “We were proud of our last performance against Canada in Kansas City, and it is one we are proud of and take a lot of confidence from, especially to do it in front of such a great crowd. We competed for the 80 minutes but needed to give ourselves more opportunities to score points, so we had some unfinished business.  We have spent the past three weeks at the Mount preparing. First with the Fiji Test and now turning our focus on Canada. The players and staff have taken this time to zero in on our detail, work hard at our collisions and prepare to take the opportunities we are confident we will create against Canada. 

“The team's energy has been great since we assembled for the Pre-World Cup Camp. The players came in knowing they’d have to work hard to earn their position on the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad, but that's the only first step.  

Since confirming our Rugby World Cup 2025 selections, the players have trained with an edge to perform and whilst not an 80 minute performance, we saw a number of positive moments last week against Fiji that excited us for where we are building. There’s been a real anticipation for this match against Canada - a team we have a lot of respect for, but also really look forward to playing against.” 

The USA Women's Eagles will head overseas following the match and settle into their last preparatory block before kicking off against host nation, England in the Women’s World Cup 2025 Opener.

USA Women's Eagles Roster | USA vs Canada
First Name Club
Hope Rogers Exeter Chiefs
Kathryn Treder Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers
Keia Mae Sagapolu Leicester Tigers / ACT Brumbies
Hallie Taufoou Loughborough Lightning / Denver Onyx
Erica Jarrell - Searcy Sale Sharks
Kate Zackary Ealing Trailfinders
Georgie Perris-Redding Sale Sharks
Freda Tafuna Lindenwood University
Cassidy Bargell Boston Banshees
McKenzie Hawkins Denver Onyx
Lotte Sharp Saracens
Alev Kelter Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers
Ilona Maher Bristol Bears / USA Sevens
Cheta Emba Boston Banshees
Bulou Mataitoga Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers
Paige Stathopoulos Ealing Trailfinders / Boston Banshees
Maya Learned Denver Onyx
Alivia Leatherman Trailfinders / Twin Cities Gemini
Rachel Ehrecke Denver Onyx
Tahlia Brody Leicester Tigers / Denver Onyx
Olivia Ortiz Sale Sharks
Emily Henrich Leicester Tigers / Boston Banshees
Sariah Ibarra USA Sevens
USA Women's Eagles Coaches & Staff

Head Coach, Attack + Backs | Sione Fukofuka

Assistant Coach, Defense | Sarah Chobot

Assistant Coach, Forwards + Attack | Mel Bosman

Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley

Analyst | Callum Howells

Lead Physiotherapist | Alice Mae

Athletic Trainer | Sam Malette

Team Doctor | Derek Hatfield

Performance Psychologist | Scott Goldman

Team Manager | Alana Gattinger

Team Services | Aiyana Gilliard

General Manager, High Performance | Tamara Sheppard

Media Manager | Jenni Burke

USA Women's Eagles Rugby World Cup 2025 Match Schedule

USA v England

August 22 | 2:30 pm ET | Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Paramount+

USA v Australia

August 30 | 2:30 pm ET | York Community Stadium, York

Paramount+

USA v Samoa

September 6 | 8:30 am ET | York Community Stadium, York

CBS, Paramount+

Quarterfinals Begin September 13

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