Vancouver, BC (USA Rugby Release)—The USA Women’s Eagles prep continues into the second week of WXV 1, as the team prepares to meet France on the pitch. Head Coach Sione Fukofuka announced today the match day 23 roster. USA v France kicks off 3:30pm ET Saturday, October 5, live on RugbyPass TV.
The USA and France last played each other during the Super Series 2019, where France defeated the Eagles in a July match in San Diego. The Eagles’ last win against France was in 2013. France heads into this weekend after a loss against Canada in their WXV 1 opener. Also coming off a loss against England but with noticeable improvements, the Eagles will hit the pitch with energy.
Most of the starting lineup heading into Saturday remains the same, with Lotte Sharp coming in to the left wing position. Set to appear in her 25th match with the Eagles, Alev Kelter moves to outside center while Gabby Cantorna comes into inside center. Rachel Johnson and Tess Feury vice captain alongside Captain Kate Zackary.
Comments from Head Coach Sione Fukofuka:
“As a team we were relatively pleased with our first 70 minutes against England but really want to create more opportunities to attack, so bringing Gabby Cantorna in allows us to have a second organizer on the field and increases our vision to attack within our system. Alev is a dangerous ball carrier and we feel that the outside channel will provide her with space that she can cause havoc in. Lotte returns to us after a great preseason at Saracens and provides experience in the back field and is a threat whenever she is around the ball.
We know that we need to play for the full 80 minutes this week in order to be in position to get the result. We are very aware that France is a very dangerous team that has threats across the park in their pack, halves and centers, so we have been working hard on our connected line speed and dominant collisions. We created a number of turnovers last week, so are keen to repeat that pressure on France. Through our attack, we will be looking to launch off our scrum and lineout to create the momentum we want to unleash the outside threats we have in the team.”
