Roster Named to Face France in 2nd Test

from USAWomensRugby.org:

PARIS, France — The first Women’s Eagles team to ever play in Stade de France has been selected for the final contest of USA’s European tour. Another defensive standoff is expected after much rainfall the past few days, resulting in a soft pitch.

Women’s Eagles head coach Pete Steinberg is expecting his squad to rise to the occasion.

“It was a physical battle in the first game and we learned a lot,” mentioned Steinberg. “ We hope to raise our game for the last game of the year and finish the tour with our best performance.”

The 80,000-seat Stade de France will also play a factor in how the Women’s Eagles play tomorrow. Excitement among the players is mounting as a sellout crowd is expected to fill the venue.

“Playing in Stade de France will be an amazing experience. We have had two very light days and our bodies feel good,” noted Steinberg. “The game against France will be another great encounter and we hope we can improve from Wednesday.”

Prop Jaime Burke has been selected as the match captain. The third-consecutive start will boost her career number of caps to 35.

Sadie Anderson will assume the vice-captain duties as the starting flyhalf.

Kickoff for the match is set for 3 PM (9 AM ET).

The contest is the second against France on the year. The two teams played Wednesday (Nov. 21), which saw France shutout the US, 13-0, in Orleans.

Despite receiving a cut under her eye in the last match, Amelia Bizer will get the nod for the second-straight game. Bizer will be starting at wing.

Bizer will be accompanied in the back three with Ashley Kmiecik on the other wing and Kimber Rozier in the fullback position. Rozier is making her third consecutive start for the Women’s Eagles.

Saturday’s match will also be the first time the Women’s Eagles have appeared in Stade de France.

Universal Sports will stream the game live from universalsports.com

Fans can also follow the game via Twitter.

USA v. FRANCE | STADE DE FRANCE | PARIS, FRANCE

1. Sarah Chobot
2. Kittery Wagner
3. Jamie Burke (C)
4. Stacey Bridges
5. Sharon Blaney
6. Shaina Turley
7. Lynelle Kugler
8. Kate Daley
9. Carrie White
10. Sadie Anderson
11. Ashley Kmiecik
12. San Juanita Moreno
13. Amy Daniels
14. Amelia Bizer
15. Kimber Rozier
16. Katy Augustyn
17. Sarah Wilson
18. Naima Reddick
19. Rosie Miesner
20. Mel Denham
21. Jennifer Lui
22. Hannah Stolba
23. Valerie Griffeth