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Three Eagles are set to fly in the United Kingdom with Exeter Chiefs. Current USA captain and flanker Kate Zackary will make the move from San Diego, with flyhalf Gabby Cantorna and winger Jennine Duncan also ready to test themselves in the Premier 15s.
Zackary, 31, has represented the USA in both 7s and XVs. She debuted with the Women’s Eagles on the World Sevens Series in 2015 and made her test debut against France the following year. This will be the first professional overseas deal for the Wichita native.
The same can be said for both Cantorna and Duncan. Cantorna is the youngest of the three at 25 and has six caps since her debut against New Zealand in 2018. She was a four-time national collegiate champion with Penn State before joing the Glendale Merlins.
Duncan is a long-time standout with Seattle RFC. A multi-sport athlete, she also played softball and soccer at the collegiate level. Now approaching her 27th birthday, the Tennessee export debuted against England in 2018 and now has five test caps.
Exeter Head Coach Susie Appleby expressed her delight in an official release.
“These are three very good signings for us. Kate, I know very well, comes with a wealth of experience having played both 7s and 15s. She’s also the captain of the national team, so she brings great leadership qualities, which is what we are going to need especially in those early weeks of the season.
“Jennine, she’s another fantastic prospect, a prolific try-scorer, a fantastic finisher and someone who you can see will bring real energy and excitement into the back line.
“Gabby, again, is someone who we really like the look of. You can see she’s a powerful player, a great playmaker, and someone who can spot the space and put you into the right positions on the pitch.
“With all three, you can see there is not only great quality but also experience, talent, and a confidence which I think will really come through. Speaking with [Women’s Eagles Head Coach] Rob Cain, he’s given us a great insight into the three of them and he’s doing fantastic work in developing the game and players over in the States.
“Obviously, he knows the Premier 15s very well from his own time coaching a very successful Saracens side, so it’s great that he’s been able to assist in getting the three players over to us.”
