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USA Rugby has named the Eagles squads to take part in next weekend’s Rugby World Cup Sevens. Cape Town will act as the host, with the tournaments to be played in a straight knockout format.
The Women’s side returns to action for the first time since Toulouse in May. There are two changes to the roster. Naya Tapper returns from injury while uncapped Sam Sullivan is included for the first time. Sui Aa’u and Sarah Levy drop out of the squad.
Included are seven players who took part in the 2018 edition hosted by the USA. Tapper is joined by Cheta Emba, Ilona Maher, Nicole Heavirland, Joanne Fa’avesi, Kris Thomas, and captain Lauren Doyle.
The Men’s roster also shows two changes from the team that finished 6th in LA. With regular captain Kevon Williams already ruled out, the team has also lost veterans Folau Niua and Joe Schroeder to injury. Called up in their place are Ben Broselle and Faitala Talapusi.
Three players return from previous Sevens World Cups. Perry Baker, Stephen Tomasin, and Kisi Unufe all played in San Francisco. Unufe was also part of the squad at the 2013 tournament in Moscow.
The Women’s Eagles open their tournament against Poland in the Round of 16. The Men will face the winner of the qualifier match between Samoa and Uganda.
WOMEN’S EAGLES SEVENS
Kayla Canett, Cheta Emba, Lauren Doyle (capt.), Joanne Fa’avesi, Jazmine Gray, Nicole Heavirland, Kristi Kirshe, Ilona Maher, Alena Olsen, Alex Sedrick, Sam Sullivan, Naya Tapper, Kris Thomas
MEN’S EAGLES SEVENS
Perry Baker, Ben Broselle, Maceo Brown, Aaron Cummings, Gavan D’Amore-Morrison, Malacchi Esdale, Naima Fuala’au, Lucas Lacamp, Cody Melphy, David Still, Faitala Talapusi, Stephen Tomasin (capt.), Kisi Unufe
