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The Women’s Rugby Super Series kicks off in Chula Vista on Friday, with the hosts USA facing Six Nations Grand Slam champions England. It was the Red Roses who played host in their last meeting, a 57-5 win over the Eagles at Allianz Park in November.
England field a strong lineup that will be captained by second row Abbie Scott, with regular skipper Sarah Hunter still recovering from concussion. Jo Brown has been called up to the squad and starts on the flank, with Marlie Packer winning her 66th cap in the No7 shirt.
A dangerous backline includes a vastly experienced midfield. Amber Reed wins her 50th cap beside Great Britain Olympic captain Emily Scarratt, who makes her 79th test appearance for her country. Meanwhile there are two new caps on the bench, with front rowers Clara Nielson and Chloe Edwards set to debut.
Head Coach Simon Middleton is looking forward to seeing his charges in action.
“We’ve had a good acclimatization period and we are happy that we managed to get the volume of rugby we had hoped under our belt going into this first game. I think we’ll find, like all of the teams, performances should improve as you go through the tournament as both the individuals and the teams settle into a rhythm.
“For us there are quite a few new combinations and less experienced players in this team so we’ve got to understand it will not be the finished article. Having said that, we have a level of expectation against all of our performances and the players know exactly what is expected of them.
“We performed well against the USA in the November Quilter internationals but we recognize this is a different time and place. We’re in a country that is incredibly passionate about their sport and so we expect a step up in performance from the USA. Our challenge first and foremost will be to better the energy and intensity they bring.”
The Eagles field a team with considerably less experience, with only 127 caps in the run-on side. 93 of those come from the tight five where Catie Benson and Hope Rogers prop up the scrum in front of the team’s most experienced player in second row Stacey Bridges.
Kate Zackary leads the side in the No6 shirt, with Joyce Taufa starting at No7 but also providing cover at hooker. Three new caps feature in the backline in scrumhalf Ashlee Byrge, center Eti Haungatau, and fullback Bulou Mataitoga. Despite their inexperience all three come with high expectations.
Three more await their debut from the bench. Chicago North Shore prop Charli Jacoby, Davenport halfback Olivia Ortiz, and Twin City flyhalf Katana Howard. It’s an unusual split with four reserve backs named along with four forwards.
Eagles coach Rob Cain is excited for the first big test of the year.
“It’s been a great few days and weeks ahead of our first opportunity this Friday. We are all looking forward to the challenges that England will present to us. We know how dangerous they consistently are and proved again with their Six Nations success and being ranked 2nd in the world.
“We have been consistently building, measuring, and learning in the past 12 months. The players are excited, the staff are all excited for the players and this is another step on the path towards where we want to be. What’s exciting for me is knowing that as a group we are only just beginning to scratch the surface.”
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 4pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on FloRugby in the USA and Sky Sports in the UK. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.
USA
1 Catie Benson, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Hope Rogers, 4 Kristine Sommer, 5 Stacey Bridges, 6 Kate Zackary (capt.), 7 Joyce Taufa, 8 Asinate Serevi, 9 Ashlee Byrge, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Jennine Duncan, 12 Eti Haungatau, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Bui Baravilala, 15 Bulou Mataitoga
Replacements: 16 Nick James, 17 Carli Jacoby, 18 Alycia Washington, 19 Elizabeth Cairns, 20 Olivia Ortiz, 21 Emily Henrich, 22 Kristen Thomas, 23 Katana Howard
ENGLAND
1 Ellena Perry, 2 Heather Kerr, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Abbie Scott (capt.), 6 Jo Brown, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Poppy Cleall, 9 Claudia Macdonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Kelly Smith, 12 Amber Reed, 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Lydia Thompson, 15 Sarah McKenna
Replacements: 16 Clara Nielson, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Chloe Edwards, 19 Cath O’Donnell, 20 Sarah Beckett, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Millie Wood, 23 Carys Williams
Date: Friday, June 28
Venue: Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista
Kickoff: 13:00 local (16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Assistants: Hollie Davidson (SRU) & Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), Sky Sports (UK)
