Eagles to take on world’s best in Super Series

The USA will be keeping impressive company at the Women’s Rugby Super Series in San Diego. Currently ranked No5 in the world, the Women’s Eagles will face all four teams ranked higher over a two-week stretch. They’ll start their campaign against World Cup finalists England, followed by champions New Zealand. North American rival Canada is up third, with France their last match.

Rob Cain has named 28 players in his squad, a quarter of them uncapped. Three of those – Ashley Byrge, Bulou Mataitoga, and Neariah Persinger – have already appeared on the HSBC Sevens Series while powerful midfielder Eti Haungatau has also been a Chula Vista resident with the sevens program.

Nine players return from the 2017 World Cup squad, the most experienced being lock Stacey Bridges followed closely by hooker Katy Augustyn. Returning as captain is flanker Kate Zackary, while second row Alycia Washington and prop duo Hope Rogers and Catie Benson all feature double digits in caps.

Veteran midfielder Kimber Rozier is one of seven players named on the reserve list, along with World Cup flanker Christiane Pheil. Others include uncapped Glendale lock Sam Luther, halfback Carly Waters, flyhalf or fullback Megan Foster, and outside backs Tess Feury and another newcomer in Shamira Robles.

All matches will broadcast live on FloRugby. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.

FORWARDS
Catie Benson (Life West), Charli Jacoby (Chicago North Shore), Nick James (HARC), Hope Rogers (USA Sevens), Katy Augustyn (Berkeley All Blues), Joanna Kitlinski (Glendale Merlins), Stacey Bridges (Beantown), Nicole Strasko (Life West), Alycia Washington (New York RC), Elizabeth Cairns (Life West), Rachel Johnson (ORSU), Asinate Serevi (Scion), Joyce Taufa (Lindenwood), Kate Zackary (capt., San Diego Surfers)

BACKS
Ashlee Byrge (USA Sevens), Olivia Ortiz (Davenport), Gabby Cantorna (Glendale Merlins), Katana Howard (Twin City Amazons), Bui Baravilala (San Diego Surfers), Amy Naber-Bonté (Life West), Eti Haungatau (USA Sevens), Emily Henrich (Dartmouth), Alev Kelter (USA Sevens), Jennine Duncan (Seattle Saracens), Bulou Mataitoga (Berkeley All Blues), Neariah Persinger (Tulsa), Kristen Thomas (USA Sevens)

FIXTURES
Fri, June 28 – vs England
Tues, July 2 – vs New Zealand
Wed, July 10 – vs Canada
Sun, July 14 – vs France