photo: Exeter Chiefs

Strong first half of Premier 15s season for North Americans

The first half of the Premier 15s season is in the books and it’s been a very good one for North American exports. With Rugby World Cup 2021 in the horizon, the respective Head Coaches of Canada and the USA will be pleased though Sandro Fiorino has a few more reasons to smile than Rob Cain.

Six of the league’s ten teams feature North American players, including three of the top four. At the mid-point – minus some reschedules due to COVID – Harlequins and Saracens are both unbeaten.

Making a successful return for Quins is US Eagles lock Kristine Sommer. The RWC 2017 select is now in the frame for a second World Cup appearance. Sommer has started the last three games including one on the blindside flank.

Sophie de Goede is one of several Canadians who have taken the professional ranks by storm. Her three starts have come in three different positions – lock, flanker, and No8 – but with reduced set pieces this season her output remains the same. de Goede will soon be joined by two more Canucks with second row Emma Taylor and utility back Alysha Corrigan en route for the second half of the season.

Loughborough Lightning are in fourth place with three defeats but are not far off the front-runners. Canadians have featured prominently thus far, none more so than Courtney Holtkamp who is one of the form second rows in the competition. Tighthead prop DaLeaka Menin is also in the mix for a mid-season Dream Team.

Sara Svoboda has four starts on the flank though the severity of a leg injury suffered in her most recent appearance has yet to be revealed. Abby Duguid arrived in Round 5 and has two starts at lock from her five appearances.

Exeter are in their first season in the top rung and though they have a losing record at 3-5, they have been competitive in every outing and are improving with every game. They have an impressive seven North American players on their roster.

US Eagles captain Kate Zackary was named Player of the Month for November and has started every game in the No7 shirt. Equally influential is Gabby Cantorna, who has cemented her spot as inside center and goal kicker. Injury has restricted Jennine Duncan to just two appearances and one start on the wing thus far.

The Chiefs have also featured three Canadians in their run-on side every week. Emily Tuttosi has been a workhorse at hooker, McKinley Hunt a pillar of strength in the second row, and Taylor Black pulls the string from flyhalf. Olivia DeMerchant was the most celebrated signing of the bunch but the world-class prop has struggled with injury, starting just once from her four appearances.

Further down the ladder are Worcester Warriors who sport one Canadian among their ranks. Paige Farries has started five of six games since her league debut in Round 4. Similarly Sale Sharks have one USA international in Jess Wooden. The 2017 World Cup fullback has started six of eight matches including one appearance in the No10 shirt.

About Americas Rugby News

Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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