photo: JMP UK / Exeter Chiefs

England-based pros boost Eagles squad for November

A record number of 12 England-based professionals highlight the USA squad for their upcoming November test series. The Women’s Eagles will play Canada twice at Infinity Park, on November 1 and 5, before departing for Dublin where they face Ireland on November 12. England will host the final match at Sixways in Worcester on November 21.

All four Exeter standouts get the call including Jennine Detiveaux (née Duncan) who has fully recovered from a serious hamstring injury that sidelined the winger for several months. Former Chiefs hooker Joanna Kitlinski is also named, along with four props now plying their trade overseas.

Five members of the USA Sevens side are selected though several others were not available, most notably No8 Jordan Matyas and outside back Meya Bizer. Also unable to tour were second rows Erica Jarrell and Stacey Bridges, scrumhalf Cassidy Bargell, and backs Emily Henrich, Mata Hingano, and Leti Hingano.

There are five uncapped players included. Life hooker Saher Hamdan, second row pair Jenny Kronish and Hallie Taufo’ou, flanker Rachel Ehrecke, and USA Sevens star Kristi Kirshe could all make their test debuts as they look to secure places in the 30-man squad for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

PROP
Catie Benson (Sale Sharks, UK)
Charli Jacoby (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
Nick James (Sale Sharks, UK)
Maya Learned (Gloucester-Hartpury, UK)
Hope Rogers (Life West Gladiatrix)

HOOKER
Saher Hamdan (Life Running Eagles)
Joanna Kitlinski (Colorado Gray Wolves)

LOCK
Jenny Kronish (Beantown)
Kristine Sommer (Gloucester-Hartpury, UK)
Hallie Taufo’ou (Colorado Gray Wolves)
Alycia Washington (Worcester Warriors, UK)

BACK ROW
Elizabeth Cairns (Life West Gladiatrix)
Rachel Ehrecke (Colorado Gray Wolves
Kathryn Johnson (Twin Cities Amazons)
Rachel Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Kate Zackary (capt., Exeter Chiefs, UK)

SCRUMHALF
Olivia Ortiz (Davenport Panthers)
Carly Waters (Saracens, UK)

FLYHALF
Kayla Canett (USA Sevens)
Megan Foster (San Diego Surfers)
Katana Howard (Sale Sharks, UK)

CENTER
Gabby Cantorna (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Joanne Fa’avesi (USA Sevens)
Alev Kelter (USA Sevens)
Amy Talei-Bonte (Life West Gladiatrix)

WING
Jennine Detiveaux (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Kristi Kirshe (USA Sevens)
Sarah Levy (USA Sevens)
Bulou Mataitoga (Berkeley All-Blues)

FULLBACK
Tess Feury (New York RC)
McKenzie Hawkins (Colorado Gray Wolves)

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