Women’s Eagles named for Brazil 7s

Head coach Jules McCoy has named a new-look Women’s Eagles 7s team to travel to Brazil for the next stop of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series which takes place on February 20 at the Arena Barueri in São Paulo. Six changes in all are made to the squad that placed 11th at Dubai in December, with the newcomers including three debutantes and three veterans.

Star playmaker Bui Baravilala makes her return from injury alongside Joanne Fa’avesi, while Ryan Carlyle earns a recall after more than a year in the international wilderness. National Academy members Rachel Griendling and Ashley Perry will make their senior 7s debuts, so to UNC’s Naya Tapper.

Injuries have deprived the squad of strike runner Lauren Doyle and Richelle Stephens, while Jane Paar has been named a non-traveling reserve. Kathryn Johnson, Nia Williams, and Kate Zackary are the other three left out after featuring in Dubai.

The Women’s Eagles are in Pool B in Brazil, along with Russia, New Zealand, and Spain. World Rugby will stream the tournament live on its official tournament page.

USA WOMEN’S EAGLES 7s
Bui Baravilala, Megan Bonny, Ryan Carlyle, Joanne Fa’avesi, Rachel Griendling, Kelly Griffin, Jessica Javelet, Alev Kelter, Ashley Perry, Jillion Potter (capt.), Naya Tapper, Kristen Thomas

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
Meya Bizer, Cheta Emba, Jane Paar

Head Coach – Jules McCoy
Assistant Coach – Richie Walker
Strength & Conditioning – Jared Siegmund
Athletic Trainer – Nicole Titmas
Manager – JoAnne Kos

DAY 1 FIXTURES
Feb 20 – 09:50 EST – vs New Zealand
Feb 20 – 12:12 EST – vs Russia
Feb 20 – 15:18 EST – vs Spain