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The 2021 season will come to a close at Sixways on Sunday for the Women’s Eagles as they take on the world’s top team England. Since returning from a two-year test hiatus the USA have dropped three in a row, this past weekend coming away from Dublin with a disappointing defeat to Ireland.
It’s England who are soaring at the moment after two stunning victories over defending World Cup champions New Zealand and a similarly one-sided win against Canada. Simon Middleton will take the chance to build his depth ahead of next year’s World Cup, retaining only six players in his starting lineup from last weekend.
Vickii Cornborough, Lark Davies, and Maud Muir are the new front row with Harriet Millar-Mills partnering first-time captain Zoe Aldcroft at lock. Sarah Beckett comes in at the back of the scrum with Alex Matthews starting on the blindside flank.
Leanne Infante returns at scrumhalf and will act as vice-captain with Helena Rowland moving from the midfield to flyhalf. Holly Aitchison fills the gap at center, and Lydia Thompson wins her 50th cap on the wing with Abby Dow sliding to fullback.
There is huge experience on the bench with second row Rowena Burnfield set to equal Thompson’s half-century mark. Test centurion and regular skipper Sarah Hunter will provide back row cover.
Rob Cain meanwhile has made four personnel changes to his run-on side, split evenly between backs and forwards. Individual errors cost the Eagles dearly against Ireland and he will be seeking greater accuracy from his charges against the Red Roses.
Hope Rogers moves back across the front row to loosehead prop with Charli Jacoby coming back in at tighthead. Kristine Sommer moves from lock to No8 with Hallie Taufo’ou handed her first test start in the second row. Captain Kate Zackary moves to flanker as Rachel Johnson sits out due to injury.
The halfbacks and midfield remain intact but there is a new-look back three. Kayla Canett moves from fullback to left wing, with Jennine Detiveaux (née Duncan) making her test return on the right wing. McKenzie Hawkins comes in to wear the No15 shirt.
Clear skies are expected in Worcester but there is no clear route to victory for the Eagles. England are in peak form and it’s been 30 years since the USA has beaten them in a test match. Expect that streak to continue as the Red Roses carry their favorites tag towards New Zealand next fall.
Kickoff is set for 2:45pm local time, 9:45 am Eastern, 6:45am Pacific. Live broadcasts will be available on FloRugby in the USA and BBC Two in England.
ENGLAND
1 Vickii Cornborough, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Harriet Millar-Mills, 5 Zoe Aldcroft (capt.), 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Sarah Beckett, 9 Leanne Infante, 10 Helena Rowland, 11 Heather Cowell, 12 Lagi Tuima, 13 Holly Aitchison, 14 Lydia Thompson, 15 Abby Dow
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rowena Burnfield, 20 Sarah Hunter, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Ellie Kildunne
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Saher Hamdan, 3 Charli Jacoby, 4 Hallie Taufo’ou, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Rachel Ehrecke, 7 Kate Zackary (capt.), 8 Kristine Sommer, 9 Carly Waters, 10 Megan Foster, 11 Kayla Canett, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Amy Talei-Bonte, 14 Jennine Detiveaux, 15 McKenzie Hawkins
Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Maya Learned, 18 Nick James, 19 Jenny Kronish, 20 Elizabeth Cairns, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Joanne Fa’avesi, 23 Sarah Levy
Date: Sunday, November 21
Venue: Sixways, Worcester
Kickoff: 14:45 local (06:45 Western, 09:45 Eastern)
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)
Assistants: Doriane Domenjo (France) & Francesca Martin (Wales)
TMO: Ian Davies (Wales)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), BBC Two (England)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2019-07-14 – USA 5, England 38 (Chula Vista)
2018-11-09 – England 57, USA 5 (London)
2017-08-17 – England 47, USA 26 (Dublin)
2016-07-09 – USA 13, England 39 (Salt Lake City)
2015-06-27 – USA 13, England 39 (Calgary)
2013-08-07 – USA 21, England 36 (Greeley)
2011-08-02 – USA 11, England 15 (Oakville)
2010-08-28 – England 37, USA 10 (Guildford)
2009-08-10 – USA 7, England 36 (Oakville)
2008-08-22 – England 17, USA 14 (Esher)
2008-08-19 – England 50, USA 3 (Esher)
2007-12-15 – England 34, USA 0 (London)
2006-08-31 – USA 0, England 18 (St. Albert)
2003-06-18 – USA 8, England 15 (Vancouver)
2000-09-23 – USA 7, England 31 (Winnipeg)
1994-04-24 – England 38, USA 23 (Edinburgh)
1993-06-08 – USA 6, England 17 (Toronto)
1991-04-14 – England 6, USA 19 (Cardiff)
