AUSTIN, Texas — October 24, 2018 — Today, FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, announced for the first time ever in the U.S., a USA Eagles test match will feature an all-woman announcing crew. Live and on-demand coverage of the world No. 5 USA Women’s Eagles match against world No. 1 New Zealand Black Ferns will be available on FloRugby.com Nov. 3 during The Rugby Weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Play-by-play will be provided by Katie Wurst, a longtime coach and educator who has served as broadcast talent for championships in college and club rugby. Wurst also is currently the Director of Rugby and head coach of Queens University of Charlotte’s women’s rugby team in North Carolina. Color commentary will be provided by Phaidra Knight, a member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame, who played for the USA at prop and flanker, and is a regular FloRugby contributor. On the sideline will be Mere Baker, a coach who is now working with the American Rugby Pro program in Arkansas. Baker also worked the booth at the Boys H.S. National Championships and the Emirates USA Rugby Club 7s National Championships.

FloRugby continues to have a robust schedule of women’s rugby, from the U.S. High School Championships through College Finals, Women’s Collegiate Sevens Championships, and major Club championships, including the Women’s Premier League Finals Weekend Oct 26-28. Earlier this year, FloRugby aired the Women’s Six Nations and the HSBC Women’s World Sevens competition. This fall, FloRugby will live stream England vs USA, England vs Ireland, and England vs Canada women’s test matches. In addition, FloRugby continues to emphasize women’s rugby in multi-bracket competitions, with the NAI 7s every August and the New York 7s every November showcasing Girls and Women’s Premier brackets.

The USA Women’s Eagles test match will kick off The Rugby Weekend and precede Italy vs. Ireland (men’s test match), and the USA Eagles vs. Maori All Blacks (men’s international). All matches will be broadcast on FloRugby.com.

“The United States was a groundbreaking nation when it came to the development of women’s rugby,” FloRugby Senior Editor Alex Goff said. “As a result, we have a deep pool of talent when it comes to experts in the game who are women, so this was a no-brainer for FloRugby.”

“It’s an honor to play a role in moving the presence of women as broadcast talent forward,” Wurst said. “I’m privileged to share the information and stories of the teams who create these exceptional international rugby viewing experiences.”

"I am so excited to work with Katie and Mere to round out the commentary team for this epic match,” Knight said. “Women are equally capable and captivating as men in these roles when given the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and passion for the game."    

“Setting new standards in the sport of rugby has been a welcomed theme in the US this year,” USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young added. “This talented group of broadcasters is no exception, we’re very excited for fans to tune in next month.”

Streaming more than 10,000 live competitions per year, FloSports continues to emerge as the global leader in live, in-depth, and on-demand digital coverage for passionate sports fans.

To access live and on-demand coverage of the USA Women’s Eagles test match, visit FloRugby.com to become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the events across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

About FloSports:
FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, partners with event rights holders, governing bodies, and other media companies to unlock a world of sports coverage that true fans have been waiting for. Through live streaming of premier events, original video programming, and weekly studio shows, FloSports is growing the sports, the events, the athletes, and the fans. Current verticals under the FloSports header include Rugby, Basketball, MMA, Football, Wrestling, Track, Gymnastics, Hockey, and more.

About USA Rugby:
Established in 1975, USA Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels and has more than 120,000 active members, with more than 40,000 playing collegiate rugby and 35,000 playing senior club rugby. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple collegiate and high school All-American sides, and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. It also hosts more than 30 national playoff and championship events each year as a service to its members. In October 2009, the International Olympic Committee announced Rugby Sevens (the seven-a-side version of the game) would appear in the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, in which both the men and women qualified. Visit www.usarugby.org for more information.