USA vs Ireland – 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup

Head coach Pete Steinberg (USA Eagles) and Head coach Philip Doyle (Ireland) have released their selections ahead of their first match at Women’s Rugby World Cup. Both teams have leaned toward experience; the USA looks to Jamie Burke, Jillion Potter, Jocelyn Tseng, and Vanesha McGee while the Irish have amassed a roster with an impressive 14 out of the starting 15 players boasting Grand Slam medals from 2013. 

USA has placed fifth in the last three World Cups and is looking to be in the #Finalin14. Along with their experience they’ve brought a good amount of youth with them with standouts Hope Rogers, Sadie Anderson, Meya Bizer, and Bui Baravilala. Kate Daley will captain the team with regular captain Shaina Turley taking a spot on the bench.

Ireland is looking to improve as well as they’ve only placed as high as 7th and that was in 2010. Captain Fiona Coghlan is joined by Marie Louise Reilly and Sophie Spence in a powerful second row pairing with Siobhan Fleming and Claire Molloy joining number 8 Heather O’Brien in the back row.

Speaking ahead of the World Cup opener, Doyle said: “The team selection was a difficult one, we are in a very lucky position of having a strong squad to pick from.

“The atmosphere has been building up in camp all week and it’s time to go. The players can’t wait to get out on the pitch and get the campaign started.”

Overall the squad looks to be hard hitting with a mixture of speed. Some players may not be specialists at their positions but they provide the greatest combination of athleticism and rugby skill. Ireland will be a tough opponent but the Eagles have the size to push them around.

USA vs Ireland / Friday, August 1 – 11:00 A.M. ET / Final Score:

USA Roster

Hope Rogers
Katy Augustyn
Jamie Burke
Carmer Farmer
Sarah Walsh
Jillion Potter
Lynelle Kugler
Kate Daley (C)
Jocelyn Tseng
Kimber Rozier
Sadie Anderson
Emilie Bydwell
Bui Baravilala
Vanesha McGee
Meya Bizer

Reserves

Sarah Chobot
Kittery Wagner
Sarah Wilson
Sharon Blaney
Shaina Turley
Deven Owsiany
Hannah Stolba

Ireland Roster

15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
14. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile)
12. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
8. Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster)

Reserves

16. Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
19. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
20. Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile)
21. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
22. Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile)

Universal Sports – Will broadcast three of the pool play matches, SFs and Finals. Don’t have Universal Sports? Check out DishWorld, $10 for a month!

TG4 – This match will be broadcat live on TG4, with coverage beginning at 3.50pm Irish time.

Get more details about the #WRWC2014 here.