Match Preview – England vs USA

After running into a rampant New Zealand Black Ferns team in Chicago, the USA Women’s Eagles will take their show on the road beginning with Friday’s match against England in London. It’s hardly a moment of respite for the Eagles, going from World Champions to World Cup Finalists in the space of a week.

The occasion will double as a celebration of Katy Daley-Mclean’s career, the England flyhalf winning her 100th international cap. Vicky Fleetwood makes England appearance No66 on the flank, with winger Lydia Thompson the only other player in the side topping 30 caps.

At the other end of the spectrum four starters debut, with two newcomers on the bench. Loosehead prop Ellena Perry, No8 Sarah Beckett, and midfield pair Tatyana Heard and Carys Williams all make their England bows. Among the reserves are scrumhalf Claudia Macdonald and center Lucy Attwood.

Rob Cain has made five personnel changes to his run-on side, just two in the pack. Megan Rom starts at loosehead prop with Catie Benson swapping to the right side of the scrum. Joanna Kitlinski replaces Katy Augustyn at hooker having joined the squad during the week.

A change at scrumhalf sees AnnaKaren Pedraza partnering Gabby Cantorna. Sarah Levy makes her test debut on the left wing as Kaitlyn Broughton switches to fullback, and McKenzie Hawkins step in for Kimber Rozier at inside center.

There are two more debutantes on the bench. Glendale second row Melissa Finkelstein and Seattle speedster Jennine Duncan are included after missing out in Chicago. Kristine Sommer comes in as loose forward cover and Megan Foster is the reserve flyhalf.

Kickoff is set for 7:45pm local time with a broadcast available on FloRugby.

ENGLAND
1 Ellena Perry, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Shaunagh Brown, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Abbie Scott (capt.), 6 Joanna Brown, 7 Vicky Fleetwood, 8 Sarah Beckett, 9 Leanne Riley, 10 Katy Daley-Mclean, 11 Kelly Smith, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Carys Williams, 14 Lydia Thompson, 15 Sarah McKenna

Replacements: 16 Heather Kerr, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18 Hannah Botterman, 19 Catherine O’Donnell, 20 Sarah Hunter, 21 Claudia Macdonald, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Lucy Attwood

USA
1 Megan Rom, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Catie Benson, 4 Stacey Bridges, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Rachel Johnson, 7 Kate Zackary (capt.), 8 Jordan Gray, 9 AnnaKaren Pedraza, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Sarah Levy, 12 McKenzie Hawkins, 13 Emily Henrich, 14 Kelsi Stockert, 15 Kaitlyn Broughton

Replacements: 16 Joyce Taufa, 17 Azniv Nalbandian, 18 Nick James, 19 Melissa Finkelstein, 20 Kristine Sommer, 21 Nikki Kenyon, 22 Megan Foster, 23 Jennine Duncan

Date: Friday, November 9
Kick-Off: 19:45 local (11:45 Pacific, 14:45 Eastern)
Venue: Allianz Park, London
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistants: Melanie Liley (RFU) & Jonathan Cook (RFU)
TMO: Éric Gauzins (FFR)
Broadcast: FloRugby, Sky Sports Arena