7.16.10 - Jillion Potter received an injury in the last CanAm match that unfortunately will make her unavailable for the World Cup. Jill (MN Valkyries) has been a strong presence on the field for the USA for the last couple of years, was recently named USA Vice Captain.

Eagle Head Coach Kathy Flores said, "While we will miss Jill's intensity, commitment and leadership we have named a very capable replacement, Naima Reddick, (Berkeley, CA.) to be added to the World Cup squad. In addition the new Vice Captain will be Jamie Burke (Beantown)."

Now in residence camp, the Women Eagles took time out for a "meet and greet" with several U19 players that were brought in by coach and former Eagle Laurie Bourdon. The players had a chance to talk and work with their respective postions and even got to run a few plays with the Women Eagles.

7.7.10 - from USA Rugby.org
BOULDER, Colo. - The USA Women's National Rugby Team has officially announced the roster of 26 players and four reserves who are set to assemble in the weeks leading up to the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup (WRWC) in England.

"It is never an easy task to trim down a squad we have been working with for almost four years," said Women's National Rugby Team Coach Kathy Flores. "With the 2010 World Cup less than two months away, we are working to prepare for every variable possible and select according to the needs of the team, in regards to the commitment and dedication of each individual and their contribution to the squad."

Assembling on July 10, the USA squad will hold a residency camp at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine for three weeks before departing for England.

"The U.S. Women will feel right at home in the college's top-notch residential and athletic facilities," Women's High Performance Manager, Alex Williams said. "Bowdoin is home to one of the few women's varsity rugby programs in the country and it's a great environment for the intense final preparations prior to the World Cup."

The residency camp will include a lot of individual and unit skill work, along with strength and conditioning sessions, video analysis, and creating game plans for its upcoming RWC pool matches. Brought into the camp will be additional skill specialists, sports psychologists, nutritionists and select media personnel who will all work with the players and staff in preparation for the team's biggest event of the quadrennial.

The National Team's time at Bowdoin College won't be all work and no play, however. On July 12, the USA Women's Team will host an Under-19 rugby clinic for new and upcoming Under-19 female players and then on July 25, the Women's National Team will play the Northeast Rugby Union All-Star Women's Team in a final Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up match for the Eagles.

The U.S. will also have one week of preparation and acclimatization once landing in England, prior to the kick-off of the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup.

The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup features the top 12 teams from around the world. The teams are sorted into three pools and will play pool opponents on three match days through August. The fifth-ranked USA Women's Team is in Pool B along with second-seeded England, Ireland and Kazakhstan.

The USA will face the 11th-ranked Kazakhstan, first, on Friday, August 20. Four days later, the USA will play the eighth-seed, Ireland side, on August 24 and will finish against England on August 28.

"We don't have the luxury to look past any team at the Women's Rugby World Cup," Flores added. "While we were playing Canada in June, Kazakhstan played close matches with South Africa. Ireland is lining up practice competition in the coming month and I am sure England will be training and lining up practice matches as well. No team is taking anything for granted in this event."

The U.S. Women's Rugby World Cup Team includes:

Forwards

1. Sharon Blaney (Beantown)
2. Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M)
3. Jamie Burke (Beantown)
4. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues)
5. Melanie Denham (Beantown)
6. Farrah Douglas (Keystone)
7. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues)
8. Phaidra Knight (New York)
9. Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries)
10. Beckett Royce (Oregon Sports Union)
11. Lara Vivolo (New York)
12. Kittery Wagner (Beantown)
13. Maurin Wallace (Beantown)
14. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries)

Backs

1. Claudia Braymer (Albany)
2. Emilie Bydwell (Beantown)
3. Amy Daniels (Beantown)
4. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues)
5. Victoria Folayan (Berkeley All-Blues)
6. Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries)
7. Ashley Kmiecik (Oregon Sports Union)
8. Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons)
9. Kim Magrini (Keystone)
10. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues)
11. Vanesha McGee (New York)
12. Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)

Reserves

1. Stephanie Bruce (Berkeley All-Blues)
2. Kate Daley (Keystone)
3. Naima Reddick (Berkeley All-Blues)
4. Hannah Stolba (Minnesota Valkyries)

6.19.10 - from USA Rugby.com
LANGFORD, B.C. - The U.S. Women's National Rugby Team lost its last game of the Can-Am series on Friday, marking a 0-2 record against its Canadian opponents after the 34-22 defeat at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC.

The Canadians looked strong out the gate, scoring a try by fullback Julianne Zussman after just two minutes, but a yellow card in a pivotal position halted Canada's momentum and brought the USA to life.

Contests between the North American rivals have been notoriously close; the last four matches have been decided by seven points or less, including Monday's test when Olympian Heather Moyse scored a last-minute to give Canada a 14-8 victory.

Canada's first three tries were all scored by the backs as the end result of simple offloads after touching several sets of hands. Zussman's initial try clearly stung the USA who could only muster 12 points in the opening frame.

The Americans rallied after half and the 27th test between these two nations became another arm wrestle.

Canadian scrumhalf Laura Stoughton was given a yellow card for not rolling away at the breakdown, leaving Canada unsure of whom to slot into the central role. Match captain Maria Gallo stepped into the position, more for her leadership abilities than her pass, and the Canadians were able to hold the States scoreless while a player down.

However, Canada exhaled early and USA wing Vanesha McGee crossed the line just as Stoughton returned to the pitch, leveling the score at 22.

The U.S. worked its way down to the Canadian five meter line numerous times, but Canada's defense held and shifted the match's momentum yet again. Shortly thereafter, Stoughton found redemption for her absence in the form of a try, scoring in similar fashion to the first three. Replacement flanker Heather Jaques capped off an exceptionally sharp game with Canada's last try.

While the U.S. would make several more convincing attempts, Canada would hold on to secure their home Can-Am sweep.

"Did we fix some things (from Monday's game)," U.S. Women's National Team Coach Kathy Flores asked rhetorically. "Yes, we did. Do we have a lot of things to work on? Yes, we do. The Canadians played very, very well.

"Normally when we get behind we can't come back, but there was a point where we were able to tie the score after being down, which was actually good for us," Flores added. "Where I think we lack a little discipline is where the Canadians are very good. When they get scored on they come right back at something and they're ready for it and I think we tend to sit back a little bit because we just scored. That key moment is when we lose a little bit of our momentum and that's when the Canada side was able to get right back into it and come back at us."

This two-game series for the U.S. marks the last matches for the U.S. before travelling to London for the Women's Rugby World Cup, which kicks off for the U.S. Women on August 20 against Kazakhstan.

Although the Can-Am series wasn't necessarily the confidence builder the U.S. had hoped for, it did allow the National Team Coach a closer look at the players she will bring with her to England later this summer.

"There are 30 players in the pool right now," Flores explained, "and we'll narrow it down to 26 (for the RWC). I have a good idea of 20, at least, and the remaining six spots will depend on how the person played during this weekend, what we know they can do, all those types of things."

Scoring:
Canada 34 (22)
Tries: Julianne Zussman, Brittany Waters, Mandy Marchak, Laura Stoughton, Heather Jaques, Conversions: Schnell (2), Marchak, Penalties: Schnell

USA 22 (10)
Tries: Christy Ringgenberg, Emily Bydwell, Vanesha McGee
Conversions: Ringgenberg (2), Penalties: Ringgenberg

U.S. Women's Lineup:

1. Jamie Burke (Beantown)
2. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues)
3. Lara Vivolo (New York Rugby Club)
4. Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries)
5. Sharon Blaney (Beantown)
6. Melanie Denham (Beantown)
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries)
8. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues)
9. Kim Magrini (Keystone)
10. Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)
11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues)
12. Emilie Bydwell (Beantown)
13. Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons)
14. Vanesha Mcgee (New York Rugby Club)
15. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues) *Captain
16. Farrah Douglas (Keyston)
17. Maurin Wallace (Beantown)
18. Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M)
19. Phaidra Knight (New York Rugby Club)
20. Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries)
21. Amy Daniels (Beantown)
22. Ashley Kmiecik (ORSU)

Today's team captain will be experienced fullback Ashley English.
Photo: Jen Doan

6.18.10 - from USA Rugby.com
BOULDER, Colo. - The U.S. Women's National Team has released its lineup for its second Can-Am match of their two-game series against Canada on June 18.

In the first match of the series, on Monday, the U.S. side was beaten in the final moments when Canada's Olympic gold medalist Heather Moyse scored to put the Canadians up 14-8 over the Americans.

The USA Women Eagles will no doubt look for retribution tomorrow, when the second match kicks off at 5 p.m. (PT) at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC.

"We had a lot of unforced errors in our first match and were too slow on our defensive launch," Women's National Team Coach Kathy Flores said. "The Canadians do a good job of running hard into the contact point, so we've spent the last few sessions ironing out our communication with the end result being better commitment to ball possession and retention."

The U.S. has also named a completely different starting lineup compared to that which took the field on Monday. With only five returning starters, this new-look U.S. squad definitely has a lot to prove.

Watch Live on the Web

Kickoff will be 5 p.m. PT on June 18, and the game will be streamed live on U-Stream.

U.S. Women's Lineup:

1. Jamie Burke (Beantown)
2. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues)
3. Lara Vivolo (New York Rugby Club)
4. Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries)
5. Sharon Blaney (Beantown)
6. Melanie Denham (Beantown)
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries)
8. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues)
9. Kim Magrini (Keystone)
10. Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)
11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues)
12. Emilie Bydwell (Beantown)
13. Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons)
14. Vanesha Mcgee (New York Rugby Club)
15. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues) *Captain
16. Farrah Douglas (Keystone)
17. Maurin Wallace (Beantown)
18. Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M)
19. Phaidra Knight (New York Rugby Club)
20. Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries)
21. Amy Daniels (Beantown)
22. Ashley Kmiecik (ORSU)

6.15.10 - from USA Rugby.org
SHAWNIGAN LAKE, B.C. - The USA Women's National Rugby Team were defeated in the final moments of the match, yesterday, after Canada's Olympic gold medalist Heather Moyse scored the game winning try in injury time to put the Canadians up 14 - 8 over the Eagles in Shawnigan Lake, BC.

Only a point separated these two sides in their last meeting, with the Americans having the eventual edge, and today's test was exactly as it was predicted to be: close.

Playing their classic style, the Americans chose to keep the ball in tight, using their forwards as much as possible. The Canadians countered, but the game lacked any open field running until the second half and even then, it was fairly conservative by both sides.

"We're dropping balls that we should be catching," U.S. Women's Coach Kathy Flores said. "We're not calling the balls in the air and we're running into each other. Not to take anything away from Canada, I thought they played well, but I think the match would have been much different had we been on.

"We couldn't put the ball over the line and could not put points on the board," Flores added. "A lot of it was unforced errors, because we just got in our heads a bit."

Standout U.S. flanker, Phaidra Knight had to agree, saying, "One of our biggest issues at this point is building our confidence. That's what led to a lot of the handling errors, which I think were accountable in our loss.

"We have a young team and we have to turn that switch. It's just one of those things that just happens, but we're running out of time so we need to make that adjustment relatively soon and just execute," Knight said.

Neither team looked comfortable in the opening 40 minutes. The first half was packed with dropped balls and knock-ons. The Americans came close to scoring, getting within meters of Canada's try line multiple times, but a combination of unforced errors and Canada's defense kept a '0' showing on the board.

Canada finally broke the silence when backrow Kelly Russell crossed the line with her first try for Canada. A successful conversion for flyhalf Anna Schnell gave the Canadians a 7 - 0 lead at halftime.

The second half was Groundhog Day as the USA worked their way downfield and found themselves on Canada's five meter line, except this time the Women Eagles left a five-point dent in the score when Knight dotted down near the posts. Replacement flyhalf Stephanie Bruce missed the conversion, but gained redemption when she hit a 35 meter penalty to give the Americans the lead, 8-7.

Near the end of the second half, Canadian winger Maria Gallo nearly scored a try but was bundled into touch at the flag. On the subsequent play, the ball made its way wide through several sets of hands before landing in Moyse's, who had been subbed in just after half. The leading scorer of the 2006 World Cup looked to go wide, where she often has success, but stepped back inside and caught both the U.S. winger and fullback off guard.

Canada were cautious in their celebrations, keeping in mind the pattern of tight scorelines in the North American rivalry, but referee Nicky Inwood blew full time just minutes later.

The 26th test between Canada and the USA marked Moyse's return to international rugby. The last time Moyse wore a Canadian rugby jersey she broke her shoulder in 2008. The injury sparked a two-year sabbatical that culminated atop the Olympic podium in Vancouver as a bobsled brakeman for driver Kaillie Humphries.

"It doesn't really matter who you lose to when you do, it's just disappointing," Knight said. "Every loss is a springboard to success and we just have to learn from the mistakes we made today and correct them."

"The U.S. has a very fit, very talented and very skillful group of players, but at the end of the day we need to execute better on the basics and that's what we'll take to the field tomorrow. And not just tomorrow until Friday, that's until we set sail for England, as well."

The teams will face again in three days at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC. Kickoff will be 5 p.m. PT on June 18, and the game will again be streamed live on U-Stream.

Scoring:
Canada: 14 (7)
Tries: Kelly Russell, Heather Moyse
Conversions: Anna Schnell, Ashley Patzer

USA: 8 (0)
Tries: Phaidra Knight
Penalties: Stephanie Bruce

1. Jamie Burke (Beantown)
2. Kitt Wagner (Beantown)
3. Rachel Reddick (Berkeley All-Blues)
4. Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M)
5. Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries) *Captain
6. Beckett Royce (ORSU)
7. Phaidra Knight (New York Rugby Club)
8. Kate Daley (Keystone)
9. Kimberly Magrini (Keystone)
10. Hannah Stolba (Minnesota Valkyries)
11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues)
12. Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries)
13. Amy Daniels (Beantown)
14. Vanesha Mcgee (New York Rugby Club)
15. Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)
16. Farrah Douglas (Keystone)
17. Maurin Wallace (Beantown)
18. Sharon Blaney (Beantown)
19. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries)
20. Stephanie Bruce (Berkeley All-Blues)
21. Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons)
22. Ashley Kmiecik (ORSU)

6.14.10 (from USA Rugby.org)
BOULDER, Colo. - The U.S. Women's National Rugby Team officially released its starting lineup set to face Canada in the first of its two Can-Am matches.

The first match kicks off on Monday, June 14 at the Shawnigan Lake School in Shawnigan Lake, B.C. at 4 p.m. (PDT). The second Can-Am Match will be on Friday, June 18 at 5 p.m. at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, B.C.

This two-game Can-Am series marks the last two test matches that the U.S. will have before departing to the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. The matches will be shown live via U-Stream.

"While we consider ourselves fortunate to have a very strong rivalry with Canada, we must establish ourselves as a strong contender for the World Cup," said U.S. Women's Coach Kathy Flores. "We are selecting our final World Cup squad from this venue and competition for a place on the squad is tight so we are looking forward to a better performance than we've given in the past."

In January, the last time the U.S. took on the Canadians, they came away with split results. In the last five matches against their northern rivals, the U.S. has gone 2-3, and although the U.S. won't meet Canada in their pool play at the RWC, the U.S. Eagles could meet Rugby Canada in the fourth round of matches in September.

Olympian Helps Canada Win
6.15.10 - Olympic gold medalist Heather Moyse scored the game winning try in injury time to give the National Senior Women's Rugby Team a 14 - 8 victory over the USA Women Eagles in Shawnigan Lake, BC. More from Rugby Canada

Canada's McKenzie Prepares for Big Tests
6.14.10 - From Scrum Queens - Video and blog from the Canada camp ahead of the two test series against the USA . The blog comes thanks to Lesley McKenzie while Meghan Mutrie brings us the video.

Canada Selects for First US Test Match
6.13.10 - "WE ARE HERE TO WIN" - With that in mind, Head Coach Johnathan Long has selected his squad for Monday's match, the first of two tests against the US. Both Canada and the USA are in an identical scenario; coaches need to see all of their personnel to select for the World Cup, but they also need to field a team that can win these matches, for confidence as well as national pride in the ongoing rivalry. More on Rugby Canada.

SA women complete series win over Scotland
6.13.10 - The South African women's rugby team return home after completing a morale-boosting 2-0 series win over Scotland following their thrilling come from behind 41-17 victory on Saturday at Lasswade. More from Times Live.

Wales spring a surprise with WRWC squad
5.19.10 - Wales coach Jason Lewis has sprung something of a surprise by unveiling 23 players of the players in his Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 squad, leaving six players to fight it out for the remaining three spots. . Read more on the IRB website.

CWRWC 2010 reaches 100 days to go milestone
5.12.10 - With 100 days to go until Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 kicks off in London on August 20, tournament organisers are making final preparations for the showcase event set to be the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup to date. More from the IRB website.