Paris – USA Women's National Team Head Coach Pete Steinberg has named his starting lineup to face Ireland Friday on the opening match day of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The teams kick off at the FFR Headquarters in Marcoussis at 11AM EDT, 8AM PDT, with live TV coverage provided by Universal Sports.

“We are looking forward to the test Ireland presents,” Steinberg told USA Rugby. “They are one of the best teams in Europe and we will know a lot about ourselves by the end of the game.”

The Eagles have been working on creating a physical team that wins the tackle contest and defends well. But they have done that at the expense of offense. This has been part of the plan all along, with defense coach Pete Baggetta explaining that they followed, somewhat, the England model of winning the physical battle first, and then developing the skills with which they can score.

Scoring, however, is a big deal now, as bonus points may well come into play in deciding who makes the top four.

The USA has a 4-1 record over Ireland, but will b wary of Niamh Briggs, who is a strong goal kicker and, added Steinberg, "a really dynamic runner, and they play a dynamic, wide game.”

Ireland’s lone victory against the USA came during the 2010 World Cup, a 22-12 victory in pool play, which the Eagles avenged later in the tournament to the tune of 40-3.

Vanesha McGee (Temple), who scored in that second match, returns to the starting lineup at wing.

McGee scored at least one try in each of her appearances during the UK tour this summer. Eight others join McGee from the 2010 squad: Jamie Burke (Virginia), Sharon Blaney (Bridgewater State), Emilie Bydwell (Brown), Lynelle Kugler (Northern Colorad), Nathalie Marchino (Siena), Naima Reddick (Chico State), Hannah Stolba (Minnesota-Mankato), and Kittery Wagner (Boston University) are all on the current squad, but not all will start Friday.

Kate Daley will captain the team against Ireland from the No. 8 position.

“This has been an amazing three-year journey for the team and we are excited for the challenge of playing Ireland,” Daley told USA Rugby. Daley is part of a strong Penn State contingent on the team, with prop Hope Rogers, wing Sadie Anderson, fullback Meya Bizer, and, on the subs bench, Deven Owsiany also current or former Nittany Lions.

No other college boasts more than one Eagle. But still college rugby produced most of these players (see team list). Several more, including Bui Baravilala, Anderson, and Sarah Wilson get their start in the high school ranks and represented the USA at the U19 level.

Sevens also has a significant influence in this team. Kimberly Rozier, Anderson, Baravilala, McGee, and Bizer all have significant USA 7s experience, and are all backs. Up front Jillion Potter (New Mexico) is also a 7s player and looks to cause havoc from the blindside position.

USA Lineup v Ireland (College Team Listed)
1. Hope Rogers (Penn State)
2. Kathryn Augustyn (Northeastern)
3. Jamie Burke (Virginia)
4. Carmen Farmer (Virginia Tech)
5. Sarah Walsh (Colby)
6. Jillion Potter (New Mexico)
7. Lynelle Kugler (Northern Colorado)
8. Kate Daley (C) (Penn State)
9. Jocelyn Tseng (Stanford)
10. Kimberly Rozier (North Carolina)
11. Sadie Anderson (Penn State)
12. Emilie Bydwell (Brown)
13. Akalaini "Bui" Baravilala
14. Vanesha McGee (Temple)
15. Meya Bizer (Penn State)

Reserves
16. Kittery Wagner (Boston University)
17. Sarah Chobot (Western Michigan)
18. Sarah Wilson (Ohio State)
19. Sharon Blaney (Bridgewater State)
20. Shaina Turley (San Diego)
21. Deven Owsiany (Penn State)
22. Hannah Stolba (Minnesota-Mankato)

Ireland
1. Fiona Coghlan (C)
2. Gillian Bourke
3. Ailis Egan
4. Sophie Spence
5. Marie Louise Reilly
6. Siobhan Fleming
7. Claire Molloy
8. Heather O'Brien
9. Tania Rosser
10. Nora Stapleton
11. Alison Miller
12. Grace Davitt
13. Lynne Cantwell
14. Ashleigh Baxter
15. Niamh Briggs

Reserves
16. Sharon Lynch
17. Fiona Hayes
18. Laura Guest
19. Paula Fitzpatrick
20. Larissa Muldoon
21. Jenny Murphy
22. Jackie Shiels