Women’s Eagles ready for first France test

Hope Rogers will lead out the USA Women’s Eagles for the first time when they face France on Tuesday at the Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers. The match is the first of two on an abbreviated trip that will conclude on Friday at Montpellier’s Altrad Stadium. France were 19-13 winners at Salt Lake City in July during the Women’s Rugby Super Series and are currently 4th on the World Rugby Rankings, three spots above the USA.

Joining Rogers in a formidable front row unit are Sarah Chobot and Katy Augustyn. Former skipper Chobot makes a welcome return after missing out on the Super Series. Powerful ball carrier Jordan Gray finds herself in the second row despite playing as a center in the Women’s Premier League and previously a no8 for the Women’s Eagles. The shift allows for another key returnee, 2014 World Cup captain Kate Daley.

Leading the backs will again be playmaker and goal kicker Kimber Rozier, with a strong midfield pairing of Sylvia Braaten and Alev Kelter, the latter making her test debut in XVs having starred for the Women’s Eagles on the HSBC Sevens Series. Another debut is handed to flanker Kate Zackary, with uncapped duo Abby Gustaitis and Joanne Fa’avesi among the reserves.

Kickoff is set for 9pm local time, 3pm Eastern. The match will be streamed live on The Rugby Channel.

USA WOMEN’S EAGLES
1 Sarah Chobot, 2 Katy Augustyn, 3 Hope Rogers (capt.), 4 Alycia Washington, 5 Jordan Gray, 6 Christiane Pheil, 7 Kate Zackary, 8 Kate Daley, 9 Jennifer Lui, 10 Kimber Rozier, 11 Kelsi Stockert, 12 Sylvia Braaten, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Tess Feury, 15 Jessica Wooden

16 Sam Pankey, 17 Catie Benson, 18 Tiffany Faaee, 19 Abby Gustaitis, 20 Elizabeth Cairns, 21 Joanne Fa’avesi, 22 Naya Tapper, 23 Megan Foster

FRANCE
1 Annaëlle Dessayes, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Julie Duval, 4 Lenaïg Corson, 5 Audrey Forlani, 6 Marion Peyronnet, 7 Laëtitia Grand, 8 Romane Ménager, 9 Pauline Bourdon, 10 Audrey Abadie, 11 Marine Ménager, 12 Lucille Godiveau, 13 Caroline Ladagnous, 14 Elodie Guiglion, 15 Laurianne Lissar

16 Carline Thomas, 17 Lise Arricastre, 18 Manon André, 19 Safi N’Diaye, 20 Yanna Rivoalen, 21 Elodie Poublan, 22 Christelle Le Duff, 23 Laure Touye