USA names new Women’s High Performance squad

Following on the announcement of a new competition calendar, USA Rugby has unveiled a 38-strong list of High Performance athletes that will form the basis of selection to the Women’s Eagles program moving forward. Also confirmed is a new three-tiered player pool. The HP list will serve as the top level of that structure, with an Extended Squad below as the second tier and a Watch List as the third tier.

Notably absent from the list are a number of top players who have already been named in the Sevens Residency program. Those players will still be considered for 15s selection, with time for leading dual-internationals such as Hope Rogers and Jordan Gray set to be managed on an individual basis leading into the 2020 Olympics and 2021 World Cup.

The tiered player pool gives the selection process greater transparency with all players aware of their status and the requirements to reach the next level. In addition to the player pool, the established age-grade pathway features High School, Junior (u20), and Collegiate All-American sides.

Included on the list are 10 uncapped players with only five players holding double digits in caps. Kate Zackary continues as captain and is one of nine members of the 2017 World Cup squad named on the roster. The others are hooker Katy Augustyn, props Catie Benson and Nic James, second row trio Alycia Washington, Kristine Sommer, and Stacey Bridges, flanker Christiane Pheil, and midfielder Kimber Rozier.