The USA Eagles and the England Red Roses have announced their lineups for this Friday’s opening round clash in the Women’s Super Series. 

Watch England vs USA LIVE on FloRugby June 28, KO 1PM Pacific Time

The Eagles

For the Americans, Kate Zackary will lead the side out as captain from her flanker position. Stacey Bridges holds down her spot in the second row as the most experienced member in the Eagles’ 23, while six more players are set to earn their first official caps (the match against the Barbarians did not count as an actual test match). 

The electric Alev Kelter returns from her shift with the 7s team on the HSBC tour, and her outstanding performance in their recent first-place finish in France should have American fans thrilled to see her back in the #13 shirt. 

Her center combination with test-debutant Eti Haungatau has the potential to cut some holes in the staunch English defense. Ashlee Byrge and Gabriella Cantorna form the halfback pairing, and will look to effectively direct the team around the park. 

The Red Roses

England will run out a team mixed with youth and experience to kick off their Super Series campaign. Lock Abbie Scott will captain the team, with fellow veterans Sarah Bern, Marlie Packer, and Poppy Cleall joining her in the pack. Claudia Macdonald scores her first start in the white shirt, and teams up Zoe Harrison to form the 9, 10 duo. World Cup winners Amber Reed and Emily Scarratt make up an awfully dangerous center partnership, with the ever-reliable Sarah McKenna getting the start at fullback.

England the favorites

This will be a bruising encounter between two very athletic teams. England will certainly be favored, but if the Americans take care of the ball in the set piece and make the Red Roses work for everything they have a real chance to make this one interesting. From an English perspective, they'll want to set the tone early and often with an aggressive defense and look to use their wide array of attacking options to keep the Americans under pressure. 

The conditions should be perfect for running rugby, and this one figures to be a great fixture!

Lineups

USA Eagles

1. Catie Benson; 17 Caps

2. Joanna Kitlinkski; 8 Caps

3. Hope Rogers; 25 Caps

4. Kristine Sommer; 7 Caps

5. Stacey Bridges; 36 Caps

6. (C) Kate Zackary; 9 Caps

7. Joycelynn Taufa; 3 Caps

8. Asinate Servevi; 2 Caps

9. Ashlee Byrge; 0 Caps

10. Gabriella Catorna; 3 Caps

11. Jennine Duncan; 2 Caps

12. Eti Haungatau; 0 Caps

13. Alev Kelter; 9 Caps

14. Bui Baravilala; 6 Caps

15. Bulou Mataitoga; 0 Caps

16. Nick James; 6 Caps

17. Charli Jacoby; 0 Caps

18. Alycia Washington; 17 Caps

19. Elizabeth Cairns; 8 Caps

20. Olivia Ortiz; 0 Caps

21. Emily Henrich; 2 Caps

22. Kris Thomas; 7 Caps

23. Katana Howard; 0 Caps

England Red Roses

1. Ellena Perry; 3 Caps

2. Heather Kerr; 16 Caps

3. Sarah Bern; 25 Caps

4. Zoe Aldcroft; 9 Caps

5. (C) Abbie Scott; 36 Caps

6. Jo Brown; 5 Caps

7. Marlie Packer; 65 Caps

8. Poppy Cleall; 29 Caps

9. Claudia Macdonald; 4 Caps

10. Zoe Harrison; 13 Caps

11. Kelly Smith; 9 Caps

12. Amber Reed; 49 Caps

13. Emily Scarratt; 78 Caps

14. Lydia Thompson; 40 Caps

15. Sarah McKenna; 22 Caps

16. Clara Nielson; 0 Caps

17. Hannah Botterman; 10 Caps

18. Chloe Edwards; 0 Caps

19. Catherine O’Donnell; 12 Caps

20. Sarah Beckett; 6 Caps

21. Natasha Hunt; 46 Caps

22. Millie Wood; 4 Caps

23. Carys Williams; 4 Caps