England, USA in Nations Cup opener
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:40
England play the USA in the opening match of the Nations Cup to be played at Esher RFC, London, on Friday evening, 22 August.
The two teams met on Tuesday when England ran out winners 50-3. This is, at least in theory, a stronger England side while the USA team also has changes.
The pack remains largely intact. Farrah Douglas starts at loosehead and Jamie Burke moves to tighthead. Mari Wallace comes in at hooker. Lara Vivolo joins Jillion Potter at lock with Beckett Royce moving to flank.
The USA coach Kathy Flores said of the coming match: "We've worked hard on improving the point of contact in training since Tuesday's game and are prepared to better compete against the English scrum. We're looking forward to providing better set piece ball for the backs so they can maintain possession and have an opportunity to finish. "
England's coach Gary Street made no fewer than 12 changes from the team which won on
Tuesday.
Karen Jones takes over the captaincy armband while Catherine Spencer is rested. Lock Jo McGilchrist is the only forward to start her second consecutive game while Katy McLean starts again at fly-half . Amy Turner and Michaela Staniford move into the centre positions, while Charlotte Barras moves to full-back.
Street said: “We have made several changes and this is because we have got to make sure we have enough players in our elite squad who are capable of playing international rugby at a high standard. From selecting this squad I am confident these players will do as good as job as the team on Tuesday did.
“This is the start of the Nations Cup, but for us this match is all about playing as good as rugby as we can. Every game we play is as important as the next and I always expect the players to have the same attitude. The USA are a brave, strong rugby nation and I am sure they'll be looking to
improve their performance against us on Friday evening.”
On Sunday England play Canada who play the USA on Tuesday.
Teams:
England: 15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 12 Amy Turner (Richmond), 11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Georgina Rozario (Plymouth Albion), 8 Karen Jones (Richmond) (captain), 7 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), 4 Natalie Binstead (Wasps), 3 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 2 Emma Layland (Richmond), 1 Sophie Hemming (Clifton)
Replacements: 16 Samantha Dale (Worcester), 17 Katy Storie (Blaydon Team Northumbria), 18 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 19 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 20 Danielle Waterman (Clifton), 21 Kimberley Oliver (Clifton), 22 Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park
Sharks)
USA: 15 Ashley Kmiecik (Seattle Mudhens), 14 Vanesha McGee (Philadelphia), 13 Lynelle Kugler (Glendale), 12 Mel Kanuk (Maryland Stingers), 11 Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All Blues), 10 Kristin Baja, (New York), 9 Kim Magrini (Keystone) (captain), 8 Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All Blues), 7 Beckett Royce (ORSU), 6 Mel Denham (Beantown), 5 Lara Vivolo (New York), 4 Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries), 3 Jamie Burke (At-Large), 2 Mari Wallace (Berkeley All Blues), 1 Farrah Douglas (Chicago North Shore)
Replacements: 16 Lisa Butts (Berkeley All Blues), 17 Stacy Baker (Philadelphia), 18 Christina Hobson (Morris Pride), 19 Allyson Hemstreet (Berkeley All Blues), 20 Katy Hertel (Minnesota Valkyries), 21 San Juanita Moreno (ORSU), 22 Desiree Markovich (Minnesota Valkyries)
Referee: Claire Daniels
Touch judges: Andrea Ttofa, Becky Patrick
Assessor: Clive
Nicholas
