USA Rugby Release
Head Coach Rob Cain has named his match-day roster as the Women’s Eagles play Canada in their first test match in two years this Monday, November 1 at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. The match takes place as part of World Rugby’s Pacific Four Regional Series and will be dedicated to the memory of former Captain and Head Coach Kathy Flores who passed away last week.
The kick-off is set for 6:00 PM Mountain Time with a live stream on World Rugby’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Tickets are available at usarug.by/PACFOUR.
Roster Highlights
- Kate Zackary will lead the group as Captain
- Up to four (4) players could make their senior national team debut including starters Jenny Kronish and Rachel Ehrecke, as well as Saher Hamdan and Ilona Maher
- Four (4) USA Sevens players were named including Maher, Alev Kelter, Sarah Levy, and Nana Fa’avesi
Kathy Flores Tribute
In memory of Flores, players will wear the initials “KF” on their jerseys, as well as black armbands to honor the legacy of American rugby great. A moment of silence will be held at pregame, followed by a special tribute video at halftime.
Fans are also encouraged to help further Flores’ legacy via her memorial fund which aims to provide financial resources and support to grow the game. Contributions can be made at usarug.by/KFLORES.
Flores led the USA Women’s Eagles to their inaugural World Cup victory in 1991 and served as Head Coach of the Eagles through the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. She dedicated her career to paving the way for women in rugby as she continued to lead the next generation as Head Coach at Brown University.
Comments from Head Coach Rob Cain
“First and foremost, as a group, we want to pass our deepest condolences to Kathy Flores’ family. Her loss is being felt across the whole of the Women’s rugby landscape both in America and overseas, showing the reach of her legacy as a player, captain, coach, leader, and person. All our thoughts continue to be with you.
“It’s been a really positive four days. The energy, excitement, effort, and level of detail in the small talk are great to see. A lot of hard work has gone on between our enforced departure from test match rugby. Two years is a long time between games so we are extremely grateful to be back playing.
“As support staff, we are excited for these players to express themselves against a very talented, physical, and dangerous Canada team, taking another step towards where we want to be at the World Cup. It’s great to start our journey back from the wilderness with such a historical rivalry.
“We are so excited we have this opportunity to start our tour at home in Glendale, to both play for and in front of the USA Rugby community. Thank you to everyone that continues to support the players on their journey to Rugby World Cup.”
The Matchup
Ranked No. 6 in the world, the USA Women will face No. 3 Canada for the first time since November of 2019 when both teams played their last test matches before COVID-19. Monday’s fixture gives fans a glimpse of what they’ll see next year at the Rugby World Cup as both teams are set to meet in the Pool B finale in New Zealand.
While Colorado altitude may be unfamiliar to the Canadians, the USA Women have grown accustomed to such conditions through multiple 6-8 week Daily Training Environments held in Glendale during the absence of international play. Conditions aside, fans can expect an exciting and intense matchup as both teams go head-to-head to kick off the Autumn Internationals.
USA Women’s XVs National Team Roster
| PLAYER | POSITION | CLUB | CAPS |
| 1. Hope Rogers | Prop | Life West Gladiatrix | 29 |
| 2. Joanna Kitlinski | Hooker | Colorado Gray Wolves | 14 |
| 3. Charli Jacoby | Prop | Loughborough Lightning (ENG) | 6 |
| 4. Jenny Kronish | Lock | Beantown RFC | Debut |
| 5. Alycia Washington | Lock | Worcester Warriors (ENG) | 22 |
| 6. Rachel Ehrecke | Flanker | Colorado Gray Wolves | Debut |
| 7. Rachel Johnson | Flanker | Exeter Chiefs (ENG) | 7 |
| 8. Kate Zackary (C) | No. 8 | Exeter Chiefs (ENG) | 15 |
| 9. Carly Waters | Scrumhalf | Saracens (ENG) | 4 |
| 10. Megan Foster | Flyhalf | San Diego Surfers | 5 |
| 11. Sarah Levy | Wing | USA Sevens | 2 |
| 12. Gabby Cantorna | Center | Exeter Chiefs (ENG) | 8 |
| 13. Alev Kelter | Center | USA Sevens | 13 |
| 14.Tess Feury | Wing | New York Rugby | 6 |
| 15. McKenzie Hawkins | Fullback | Colorado Gray Wolves | 3 |
| 16. Saher Hamdan | Reserve Hooker | Life University | Debut |
| 17. Maya Learned | Reserve Prop | Gloucester Hartpury (ENG) | 2 |
| 18. Nick James | Reserve Prop | Sale Sharks (ENG) | 12 |
| 19. Kristine Sommer | Reserve Lock | Gloucester Hartpury (ENG) | 13 |
| 20. Elizabeth Cairns | Reserve Flanker | Life West Gladiatrix | 11 |
| 21. Olivia Ortiz | Reserve Scrumhalf | Davenport & Chicago North Shore | 5 |
| 22. Joanne Nana Fa’avesi | Reserve Center | USA Sevens | 2 |
| 23. Ilona Maher | Reserve Wing | USA Sevens | Debut |
USA Women’s XVs Traveling Staff (Glendale)
Head Coach | Rob Cain
Team Manager | Lou Stewart
Assistant Coach | Jamie Burke
Assistant Coach | Rich Ashfield
Assistant Coach | Kate Daley
Analyst | Callum Howells
Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Head of Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Strength and Conditioning | Albert Sasu
Lead Athletic Trainer | Hillary Stepansky
Athletic Trainer | Amie Kern
Athletic Trainer | Jade Callan
USA Women’s XVs Autumn Internationals
- All times local.
- Monday, November 1, 6 PM vs Canada, Glendale, CO, Broadcast: World Rugby Facebook + YouTube
- Friday, November 5, 6 PM vs Canada, Glendale, CO, Broadcast: World Rugby Facebook + YouTube
- Friday, November 12, 7:15 PM vs Ireland, Dublin, IRE, Broadcast: FloRugby
- Sunday, November 21, 2:45 PM vs England, Worcester, UK, Broadcast: FloRugby
