Repost from ScrumQueens – Nations Cup: Round Two Preview

NOTE: The matches on Aug 5 (tomorrow) will NOT be available on Ustream. YSC will try to bring updates on Facebook and Twitter as we hear them. Feel free to send updates or post on Facebook/Twitter.

See the rosters, scores and schedule here.

Reposted from Scrumqueens:

Note: Teams will be posted here as and when they are made available. At time of writing only England had named their team. 

The second round of games in the women’s rugby Nations Cup takes place tomorrow in Canada. The second round games see the host nation face their neighbours the USA while South Africa face England.

Canada V USA

One of the most eagerly anticipated games of this tournament, the two rivals last met in a World Cup play-off last year which the US won to finish in 5th place at the tournament. The loss will have hurt Canada who at one point looked very good for a semi-final spot in the competition and there is no love lost between these two great rivals. The USA come into the match on the back of a massive effort against England, with their defence and physicality outstanding. No doubt they will hugely rue leaking a last minute score and they’ll start this game determined to see out victory. Canada had a much easier time against South Africa showcasing some great attacking skill but this will be a far  tougher assignment. As ever, these are two closely matched sides, and at the moment are at a similar stage of rebuilding for the next World Cup, with a range of new faces in their squads and new head coaches at the helm. This one is too hard to call and is likely to be a cracker.

USA Roster
1. Farrah Douglas, 2. Devin Keller, 3. Jamie Burke (c), 4. Stacey Bridges, 5. Stacy Baker, 6. Shaina Turley, 7. Lynelle Kugler, 8. Kate Daley, 9. Kim Magrini, 10. Sadie Anderson, 11. Vix Folayan, 12. Pam Kosanke, 13. Amy Daniels, 14. Vanesha McGee, 15. Samantha Pankey.

16. Lisa Butts, 17. Sarah Chobot. 18. Lauren Daly, 19. Kitt Wagner, 20. Carrie White, 21. Rebecca Brafman, 22. Katie Dowty

Canada Roster
Canadian Team vs. The U.S.A.:
1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Club de Rugby de Quebec) Quebec City, PQ
2. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC
3. Brandi Van Eeuwen (Cowichan) Duncan, BC
4. Maria Jaworski (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
5. Danielle Rowlands (Kirin RFC / Calgary Hornets) Colonsay, SK
6. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SK
7. Jen Kish (Lep Tigers) Edmonton, AB
8. Kelly Russell (Capt.) (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish) Calgary, AB
10. Ghislaine Landry (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON
11. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, PQ
12. Mandy Marchak (Capilano) Winnipeg, MB
13. Arielle Dubissette-Borrice (Toronto Nomads) Ajax, ON
14. Andrea Burk (Capilano North) Vancouver, BC
15. Brittany Waters (Meraloma) Vancouver, BC
——–
16. Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
17. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake) Surrey, BC
18. Corinne Jacobsen (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC
19. Jessica Dovanne (Velox Valkyries) Victoria, BC
20. Ashley MacDonald
21. Cheryl Phillips
22. Kelsey Willoughby

England V South Africa

The South Africans come into the match on the back of an exciting free-flowing game of rugby against Canada which they lost 52-17. The scoreline probably doesn’t reflect the effort of the South Africans, who themselves looked impressive in attack when given the chance however they will have to improve defensively in a significant manner if they are to avoid a similar result against England. Consistency will be key for South Africa who have a tendency to fade out of games at crucial times despite looking in periods like a match for any side physically. England themselves will be dusting themselves off after one of their toughest games this season against the USA. The game went right to the wire with England needing an injury time try to secure the four point victory. England will surely play a wider game in the second round with much of their first effort dominated by forward power, where South Africa are arguably their strongest. England have reacted to the result by making sweeping changes to the team – only four players keep their starting place.

England: Kay Wilson (Richmond), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Claire Allan (Richmond), Sarah McKenna (Old Albanians), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Alice Richardson (VC) (Richmond), Sarah Hunt (Lichfield), Claire Purdy (C) (Wasps), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Becky Essex (Richmond), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Jenny Brightmore (Worcester), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Jo McGilchrist (Wasps)

Replacements: Vicky Fleetwood (Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), Toya Mason (Wasps), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park), Danielle Waterman (Worcester)

NOTE: The matches on Aug 5 (tomorrow) will NOT be available on Ustream. YSC will try to bring updates on Facebook and Twitter as we hear them. Feel free to send updates or post on Facebook/Twitter.

See the rosters, scores and schedule here.