Preparation has been intense for the USA women’s national team as they get ready for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in France.

The team has been training in Granville, right on the beach in Normandy, with the local Granville Rugby Club at their disposal.

And that means the entire club, as Saturday the Eagles played a scrimmage against the Granville men’s team (not full-tackle, but wrap and ruck).

This is all part of the Eagles looking to be one of the more physical teams at the World Cup.

“It’s a great template that England had,” said defense coach Pete Baggetta of the team that has reached the last three finals, only to lose to New Zealand each time. “First develop that physicality - be really good at the tackle contest, really good at the contact points. And then later on the rest of your game evolves. If you look at England now, they are a much different team. They have that physicality but they are playing more expansive rugby. It’s a template we’re also using.”

This, Baggetta said, combined with the 7s experience of many of the backs, means the USA expects to be a handful. And it doesn’t hurt that they have this facility.

“The facility is just phenomenal,” said Baggetta. “We have this gorgeous rugby pitch with locker rooms and weight room about two minutes away, and they give us whatever we need. Against the Granville men we were trying to adjust to the pace of the game. The people here at Granville has been phenomenal.”

When you hear, on the beach in Normandy, it’s natural to think back 70 years, when thousands of Americans fought and died to liberate France and Europe in World War II. The Eagles visited Omaha Beach a couple of days ago and were there for the lowering of the Stars & Stripes and the playing of Taps.

“It was a special moment, and put it in perspective what it means to wear the US jersey and what that flag means,” said Baggetta.