Texas Health Stadium hosts USA Women vs Italy in the WXV Global Series Saturday, and the USA has named their lineup.
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Eagles are facing a speedy, expansive Italian side that has beaten them twice in a row.
All of this sets up a really compelling matchup, especially since these two play again in a week.
USA Head Coach Jack Hanratty has made some changes in the lineup. Kapoina Bailey moves off the bench to make her first USA start at blindside flanker, while Bulou Mataitoga comes into the starting lineup right wing, partnering with Texan Telesi Uhatafe on the other wing.
Starting at fullback is Ashley Cowdrey, who has impressed Hanratty with her maturity and mental acuity. Not with the team in Europe, she rejoined the Eagles and it was as if she never left.
Co-Captain Erica Jarrell-Searcy leads a very capable second act alongside impact players Kate Zackary, Paige Stathopoulos, Alivia Leatherman, Hann Humphreys, Mona Lisa Tupou, Taina Tukuafu, and Katana Howard.
“We worked hard in Ireland and Wales and closing out two Test matches brings such confidence to the group," said Hanratty. "The recharge week was just as important as our week in Chula Vista where we really focused on evolving the way we approach and think about the upcoming challenges."
The Eagles trained and played with the USA 7s program while at Chula Vista and it was an activity that brought the players closer together and challenged them, as well.
Looking ahead to the three games on US solid, Hanratty stressed that he is taking each game as it comes rather than looking at it as a series. He still needs to see players in different situations.
"We have had some squad rotations and changes. but since day one we have said if we are going to challenge the top nations we are not looking to develop a world class team but a world class squad," said Hanratty. "Our last four test matches have been away from home, and we managed to win three out of four in iconic stadiums, and grounds where we were not the fan favorites. All of those wins were one-score wins and to be in tight test matches the home crowd can shift the difference from a test win or loss."
