August 25, 2017
USA Meets France for Bronze at #WRWC2017
Photo: Miss Colleen Rugby Pics
Doug Coil
The USA Women’s Eagles will play France for the bronze medal at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday, August 26 at noon ET from Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. The match will be will be streamed live on NBC Sports Gold’s Rugby Pass. In other countries the match may be viewed on rwcwomens.com.
USA
Pete Steinberg has made three changes to his starters, bringing Hope Rogers in at prop and shifting Catie Benson to the reserves. Hope will team with captain Tiffany Faaee at prop, with Katy Augustyn at hooker.
Both Stacey Bridges and Alycia Washington have performed well at lock and will continue. The backrow will see a change, as Abby Gustaitis will be the blindside flanker. Sara Parson and Jordan Gray continue at openside flanker and No. 8 respectively.
Christiane Pheil is returning from an injury and is expected to make her World Cup debut in the backrow as a reserve.
The backline has been a cohesive unit, however Kayla Canett replaces a banged-up Kimber Rozier at flyhalf, the only change. Rozier’s experience will be missed, as 19-year old Canett’s only previous playing time in the World Cup was at the scrum half position. Reserves Tess Fuery, Jessica Javelet and Jessica Wooden will be ready to contribute when needed.
The Women’s Eagles had an outstanding match against New Zealand on Tuesday and only three late tries from the Black Ferns give the appearance that the match was dominated by New Zealand. That was not the case for the first 65 minutes, and had New Zealand changing tactics during the match.
France
France has made two changes in the forwards with Lise Arricastre at loosehead prop and Romane Menager at No. 8. Previous starters Annaelle Deshayes and Safi N’Diaye are reserves.
In the backs, Jade Le Pesq will start at scrumhalf with Yanna Rivoalen a reserve. Camille Grassineau and Caroline Boujard are the wings with scoring threat Shannon Izar a reserve. Carla Neisen is the outside center with previous starter Caroline Ladagnous not dressing. Only Caroline Drouin at flyhalf, Elodie Poublan at inside center and Montserrat Amedee retain their starting position.
France has kept their forwards largely intact, and Romane Menager has been a force before sustaining a minor injury that kept her from playing the previous match.
The French backs attack with a flair and that should continue, although a number of very talented players could impact the match when they enter.
USA v France: 1. Hope Rogers 2. Katy Augustyn 3. Tiffany Faaee 4. Stacey Bridges 5. Alycia Washington 6. Abby Gustaitis 7. Sara Parsons 8. Jordan Gray 9. Deven Owsiany 10. Kayla Canett 11. Kris Thomas 12. Alev Kelter 13. Nicole Heavirland 14. Naya Tapper 15. Cheta Emba 16. Sam Pankey 17. Jamila Reinhardt 18. Naima Reddick 19. Nicole James 20. Christiane Pheil 21. Jess Wooden 22. Tess Feury 23. Jessica Javelet
France v USA: 1. Lise Arricastre 2. Gaelle Mignot (C) 3. Julie Duval 4. Lenaig Corson 5. Audrey Forlani 6. Marjorie Mayans 7. Julie Annery 8. Romane Menager 9. Jade Le Pesq 10. Caroline Drouin 11. Camille Grassineau 12. Elodie Poublan 13. Carla Neisen 14. Caroline Boujard 15. Montserrat Amedee 16. Caroline Thomas 17. Annaelle Deshayes 18. Patricia Carricaburu 19. Manon Andre 20. Safi N’Diaye 21. Yanna Rivoalen 22. Shannon Izar 23. Elodie Guiglion
