Stars return to Eagles squad for WXV

Sione Fukofuka has named his strongest available traveling squad for the upcoming WXV tournament in Vancouver. Notably returning to the squad after missing out on the Japan tour are captain Kate Zackary, vice-captain Rachel Johnson, and star duo Hope Rogers and Alev Kelter.

Veteran prop Maya Learned and Beantown scrumhalf Cassidy Bargell have been recalled. Also joining the team from the USA Sevens squad are outside backs Cheta Emba and Kris Thomas, both of whom featured at the 2017 World Cup in Ireland. Emba recently suited up for the Barbarians against South Africa.

Half of the 30-strong roster currently play their rugby for English Premiership sides. Among those absent from the group are Sale Sharks duo Olivia Ortiz and Katana Howard, who each traveled to Japan.

This is the USA’s first foray into the top division of the WXV, having competed in Division 2 last year. The team will begin their preparations with a training camp in Bellingham, Washington. Tests against England, France, and Ireland will be played on successive weekends beginning on September 29.

 

PROP
Catie Benson (Sale Sharks, UK) 45 caps
Charli Jacoby (Exeter Chiefs, UK) 29 caps
Alivia Leatherman (Life West) 5 caps
Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs, UK) 47 caps
Mae Sagapolu (Leicester Tigers, UK) 11 caps
Maya Learned (Colorado Gray Wolves) 13 caps

HOOKER
Kathryn Treder (Loughborough Lightning, UK) 22 caps
Paige Stathopoulos (Beantown) 10 caps

SECOND ROW
Emerson Allen (Life West) 1 cap
Erica Jarrell (Sale Sharks, UK) 10 caps
Hallie Taufo’ou (Loughborough Lightning, UK) 19 caps

BACK ROW
Tahlia Brody (Leicester Tigers, UK) 12 caps
Rachel Ehrecke (Colorado Gray Wolves) 15 caps
Tessa Hann (Colorado Gray Wolves) 1 cap
Rachel Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, UK) 9 caps
Kate Zackary (capt., Ealing Trailfinders, UK) 37 caps

SCRUMHALF
Cassidy Bargell (Beantown) 2 caps
Sophie Pyrz (Life West) 2 caps
Taina Tukuafu (Berkeley All Blues) 10 caps

FLYHALF
Gabby Cantorna (Exeter Chiefs, UK) 30 caps
McKenzie Hawkins (Colorado Gray Wolves) 17 caps

MIDFIELD
Joanne Fa’avesi (USA Sevens) 7 caps
Emily Henrich (Leicester Tigers, UK) 18 caps
Mata Hingano (USA Sevens) 6 caps
Alev Kelter (Loughborough Lightning, UK) 23 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
Cheta Emba (USA Sevens) 9 caps
Tess Feury (Leicester Tigers, UK) 28 caps
Summer Harris-Jones (USA Sevens) 4 caps
Bulou Mataitoga (Loughborough Lightning, UK) 18 caps
Kris Thomas (USA Sevens) 11 caps