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The grand finale of the Women’s Rugby Super Series will see hosts USA taking on France at Torero Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Les Bleues nearly followed their upset of New Zealand with another against England, but face an Eagles side that found their form against Canada during the week.
Rob Cain is not resting on his laurels, staying true to his word with seven changes as he continues to assess his young squad. Just two of those come in the backs, where Eti Haungatau is ruled out and replaced by Amy Talei-Bonte in the midfield. Neariah Persinger replaces Kris Thomas on the wing.
Only Joanna Kitlinski survives in the tight five. Hope Rogers and Nick James come in at prop, with the new lock pairing of Nicole Strasko and Stacey Bridges. Joyce Taufa comes in for Elizabeth Cairns at openside flanker. The brench reverts to a traditional 5-3 split as Katy Augustyn returns to the squad.
Cain says this is another opportunity for individuals to impress heading towards the fall schedule.
“It’s been a great few days for the players reflecting from such a determined and exciting performance against Canada. To win the game with such a purposeful decision into the right space shows how far we have come from November. The exciting part is that there’s so much more to come.”
“We know France are a very talented team who have both physicality through their ball carriers and patience through their kicking game but are also extremely dangerous in open space. This is another game full of opportunities for the players involved and for us as. We learn more about combinations and individuals each game and this will again be a great learning moment for us as coaches.”
As this is their fourth game on the bounce, Stéphane Eymard is also keeping his roster fresh with seven changes. Lise Arricastre and Caroline Thomas come into the front row, with Madoussou Fall returning at lock. Céline Ferer and Gaelle Hermet are on the flanks with Emeline Gros starting at No8.
Pauline Bourdon keeps her place at scrumhalf but Camille Imart’s spot at flyhalf goes to Morgane Peyronnet. In the midfield Gabrielle Vernier pushes Camille Cabalou out one spot and Morgan Ménager returns on the wing at the expense of Cyrielle Banet.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 7pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on FloRugby in the USA, Sky Sports in New Zealand, and France 4. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James, 4 Nicole Strasko, 5 Stacey Bridges, 6 Rachel Johnson, 7 Joyce Taufa, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Ashlee Byrge, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Jennine Duncan, 12 Amy Talei-Bonté, 13 Emily Henrich, 14 Neariah Persinger, 15 Alev Kelter
Replacements: 16 Catie Benson, 17 Charli Jacoby, 18 Katy Augustyn, 19 Asinate Serevi, 20 Kristine Sommer, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Bui Baravilala, 23 Kristen Thomas
FRANCE
1 Lise Arricastre, 2 Caroline Thomas, 3 Clara Joyeux, 4 Madoussou Fall, 5 Audrey Forlani, 6 Gaëlle Hermet (capt.), 7 Céline Ferer, 8 Emeline Gros, 9 Pauline Bourdon, 10 Morgane Peyronnet, 11 Morgane Ménager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 13 Camille Cabalou, 14 Caroline Boujard, 15 Jessy Trémoulière
Replacements: 16 Agathe Sochat, 17 Laure Touyé, 18 Annaëlle Deshayes, 19 Fiona Lecat, 20 Axelle Berthoumieu, 21 Laure Sansus, 22 Emma Coudert, 23 Cyrielle Banet
Date: Sunday, July 14
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 16:00 local (19:00 Eastern)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistants: Rebecca Mahoney (NZRU) & Julianne Zussman (Canada)
TMO: Amanda Cox (USAR)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), France 4 (FRA), Sky Sports (NZ)
