Zackary leads Eagles against Scotland

By Mark Stevens
26/8/22

Six Exeter Chiefs Women’s players have been named in the USA Eagles squad to face Scotland Women in there first of their two warm-up fixtures ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

No.8 Kate Zackary will skipper the visitors, who also include Chiefs team-mates Hope Rogers, Rachel Johnson, Gabby Cantorna and Jennine Detiveaux in their starting line-up for the game at the DAM Health Stadium.

Having not faced Scotland since 2006, the Eagles will be looking to kick-off their European tour with victory, particularly as they face England Women at Exeter’s Sandy Park on Saturday, September 3.

Fresh from an extensive three-week pre-season block at Life University in Marietta, GA, head coach Rob Cain was in bullish mood ahead of kick-off.

“Our 21 days in Atlanta was focused on being the best prepared we can be as we head into the Rugby World Cup,” he said. “Understanding, refining and cementing our identity on and off the pitch. Aspiring for both the players as individuals and team to bring to life what we believe to be some key points of difference as a group. We also used this extended time to create behaviour changes in both technical and tactical areas. All of this before culminated in our Rugby World Cup selection pre-departing for Scotland.

“Scotland have been in camp for six weeks, they have also in recent months committed to part time and full time contracts and have made some very big strides due to this professionalized contact time. They are very organised, very purposeful and look to maximise their ability to create a go forward off their set piece, dangerous ball carriers and kicking game.

“This a great opportunity to continue gauging where we are, showcase the hard work that has gone into the past three weeks as we continue to develop our own game ahead of New Zealand. We would like to see the development shown in camp also show through in real time under pressure, alongside our ability to adapt tactically on the pitch in real time.

“Playing time at this level is critical for us a group, we have two opportunities ahead of the Rugby World Cup and a further training game in New Zealand, but wea are well aware that our competition have had the opportunity to play many more test matches over the past two years.”

USA EAGLES SQUAD TO FACE SCOTLAND WOMEN

15 Alev Kelter (Saracens)
14 Jennine Detiveaux (Exeter Chiefs)
13 Eti Haungatau (Lindenwood University)
12 Katana Howard (Sale Sharks)
11 Lotte Clapp (Saracens)
10 Gabby Cantorna (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Olivia Ortiz (Colorado Gray Wolves)
1 Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs)
2 Joanna Kitlinski (Sale Sharks)
3 Nick James (Sale Sharks)
4 Hallie Taufoou (Loughborough Lightning)
5 Jenny Kronish (Harlequins)
6 Jordan Matyas (USA Sevens)
7 Rachel Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
8 Kate Zackary (Exeter Chiefs, capt)

16 Jett Hayward (Life West Gladiatrix)
17 Catie Benson (Sale Sharks)
18 Charli Jacoby (Exeter Chiefs)
19 Evi Ashenbrucker (San Diego Surfers)
20 Georgie Perris-Redding (Sale Sharks)
21 Carly Waters (Saracens)
22 Meya Biter (Beantown RFC)
23 Tess Feury (New York Rugby)