Test Match Preview – Ireland vs USA

The Women’s Eagles kick off their two-match overseas tour in Dublin on Friday where they face off against Ireland. It’s an historic occasion for the home side, marking the first time the national side will play at the RDS Arena – the home of Leinster rugby.

Following two defeats to Canada in Colorado, there will only be victory on the mind of coach Rob Cain. Historical results suggest this is an achievable target. The team’s last trip to Dublin was a 19-10 win three years ago with the USA claiming five of seven matches between the two since their first meeting in 1994.

There are seven personnel changes to the starting lineup for the USA. Hope Rogers moves to tighthead prop with Catie Benson in at loosehead. Alycia Washington is recalled in the second row, and Rachel Ehrecke wins her second cap on the flank with Elizabeth Cairns settling for a spot among the reserves.

Megan Foster replaces the injured Gabby Cantorna at flyhalf. With Alev Kelter and Ilona Maher returning to sevens duty, it’s Amy Talei-Bonte who starts at outside center with Tess Feury coming in on the wing. Kayla Canett swaps places with McKenzie Hawkins to start at fullback.

Ireland are fresh off a 20-18 loss to Scotland, played at a neutral venue in Italy, which sees them miss out on Rugby World Cup qualification. Controversial comments in response by IRFU Women’s Director of Rugby Anthony Eddy has drawn a furious public backlash, not least from hooker Cliodhna Moloney.

Head coach Adam Griggs is approaching the end of his tenure with the team, to be replaced by former Men’s Eagles coach Greg McWilliams on December 1. Griggs has made six changes to the run-on side and two positional switches in search of inspiration.

Lindsey Peat and Leah Lyons come into the front row on either side of Moloney. Anna Caplice is recalled at No8, with captain Ciara Griffin moving to the side of the scrum. Munster back row Maeve Óg O’Leary is named on the bench, the only uncapped player in the squad.

Ailsa Hughes comes in at scrumhalf with Kathryn Dane dropped to the reserves. Eimear Considine moves to fullback to outside center with Lauren Delany wearing the No15 shirt. Laura Sheehan starts on the right wing to face off against Exeter clubmates Rachel Johnson and Kate Zackary.

Mild temperatures are on the forecast though there will be gusty conditions and a chance of a light shower in Dublin. Ireland are the more experienced side and enjoy home field advantage and the Eagles can’t quite claim better form given their results of last week. Expect a close match, with the visitors slight favorites on historical precedents.

Kickoff is set for 7:15pm local time, 2:15pm Eastern, 11:15am Pacific. Live broadcasts will be available on FloRugby in the USA and the RTE Player in Ireland.

IRELAND
1 Lindsay Peat, 2 Cliodhna Moloney, 3 Leah Lyons, 4 Nichola Fryday, 5 Sam Monaghan, 6 Ciara Griffin (capt.), 7 Edel McMahon, 8 Anna Caplice, 9 Ailsa Hughes, 10 Stacey Flood, 11 Beibhinn Parsons, 12 Sene Naoupu, 13 Eimear Considine, 14 Laura Sheehan, 15 Lauren Delany

Replacements: 16 Neve Jones, 17 Katie O’Dwyer, 18 Linda Djougang, 19 Hannah O’Connor, 20 Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21 Kathryn Dane, 22 Eve Higgins, 23 Amee-Leigh Murphy-Crowe

USA
1 Catie Benson, 2 Saher Hamdan, 3 Hope Rogers, 4 Kristine Sommer, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Rachel Ehrecke, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters, 10 Megan Foster, 11 Bulou Mataitoga, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Amy Talei-Bonte, 14 Tess Feury, 15 Kayla Canett

Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Maya Learned, 18 Nick James, 19 Hallie Taufo’ou, 20 Elizabeth Cairns, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 McKenzie Hawkins, 23 Sarah Levy

Date: Friday, November 12
Venue: RDS Arena, Dublin
Kickoff: 19:15 local (11:15 Pacific, 14:15 Eastern)
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy) & Maria Giovanna Pacifico (Italy)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), RTE Player (Ireland)

HISTORICAL RESULTS
2018-11-18 – Ireland 10, USA 19 (Dublin)
2014-08-01 – USA 17, Ireland 23 (Marcoussis)
2010-09-01 – Ireland 3, USA 40 (Guildford)
2010-08-24 – Ireland 22, USA 12 (Guildford)
2006-09-04 – Ireland 11, USA 24 (Edmonton)
2006-01-25 – Ireland 5, USA 23 (Limerick)
1994-04-17 – USA 76, Ireland 0 (Edinburgh)