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Two more USA internationals have joined Exeter Chiefs in the Premier 15s. Flanker Rachel Johnson and hooker Joanna Kitlinski make it five Eagles and nine North Americans in all at Sandy Park. Harlequins lock Kristine Sommer and Sale fullback Jess Wooden are the other USA reps in England’s top division.
Johnson, 29, is originally from Carmel, Indiana, but has more recently been affiliated with Oregon Rugby after playing for Portland State. She made her test debut against New Zealand in November 2018 and has five caps to date. With Eagles captain Kate Zackary already cemented in the No7 shirt, Johnson could give the Chiefs two Eagles in the back row.
Formerly a loose forward but now focused on the front row, the 32-year-old Kitlinski has won nine caps since her first against Canada in the 2015 Super Series. A long-time member of the now-disbanded Glendale Merlins, she is a three-time Women’s Premier League champion. Kitlinski will now compete with Canadian counterpart Emily Tuttosi for the starting No2 shirt at Exeter.
Meanwhile it’s bad news for Eagles winger Jennine Duncan, whose season has come to an early end after suffering a serious hamstring injury. Exeter have moved quickly to replace Duncan with the addition of Ireland international Laura Sheehan.
