Nations Cup: Team news

Canada v England

Canada’s player of the year Maria Sampson will captain her country in a pack that includes experienced standout Kelly Russell.

Canada have also included Sevens players Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, Bianca Farella and Magali Harvey,Head Coach Francois Ratier said:“The Nations Cup is important for us because it’s the first step in our preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2014 and it’s a good opportunity for the staff to see this group of 26 players in an international competition after two years. It’s always a great test to play against one of the most professional programs in the world and I am sure our players will compete with passion and no fear. They look forward to it!”

Acting England Head Coach Graham Smith has named Sarah Hunter as captain and has given debuts to No. 12 Megan Goddard and wing Julie Hope. There are also four uncapped players on the bench; Mercedes Foy, Justine Lucas, Zoe Saynor and Charlotte Keane.Smith said: “We have had a very productive start to the tour – the squad is made up of youth and experience and they have integrated well.

“We have trained well and are very hard working in the warm and humid conditions. The facilities here at University of Northern Colorado are excellent and designed for elite performance.

“The side we’ve picked for the first game is a good blend of youth and experience with nine players from the recent New Zealand tour and potentially six new caps.

Canada: 1- Laura Russell, 2- Mary-Jane Kirby,3- Hilary Leith, 4- Latoya Blackwood, 5- Maria (Jaworski) Samson, 6- Megan Gibbs, 7- Kelly Russell, 8- Jacey Murphy,  9- Stephanie Bernier, 10- Cheryl Phillips,11- Magali Harvey, 12- Andrea Burk, 13- Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, 14- Bianca Farella, 15- Elissa Alarie,Replacements:16- Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, 17- Claragh Pegg, 18- Kim Donaldson,19- Tyson Beukeboom, 20- Kayla Mack, 21- Julia Sugawara, 22- Jessica Dovanne, 23- Katie McNally,

England: 15 Kay Wilson, 14 Julie Hope, 13 Abigail Chamberlain, 12 Megan Goddard, 11 Lydia Thompson, 10 Ceri Large, 9 Fiona Davidson, 1 Rochelle Clark, 2 Emma Croker, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Rebecca Essex, 5 Rowena Burnfield, 6 Sarah Hunter, 7 Isabelle  Noel-Smith, 8 Harriet Millar-MillsReplacements: 16 Mercedes Foy, 17 Claire Purdy, 18 Justine Lucas, 19 Zoe Saynor, 20 Victoria Fleetwood, 21 Charlotte Keane, 22 Emily Scott, 23 Lauren Cattell

USA v South Africa

Fresh from a third-place finish in Moscow at the Rugby World Cup Sevens, Jillion Potter, Emilie Bydwell, and Christy Ringgenberg earn starting spots in the opener, while Kimber Rozier is on the bench.

“They have done a great job fitting in and have worked hard to become part of the group,” said coach Pete Steinberg of the sevens players. “We did a lot of work prior to coming into the assembly to prepare and that allowed them to hit the ground running with our attack and defence.”

Hope Rogers starts at prop for the Eagles fresh from the U20 Nations Cup.

Veteran presences from Eagles such as Shaina Turley and Jamie Burke offer real experience to the team

South Africa's team is TBC

USA:1. Hope Rogers, 2. Kittery Wagner, 3. Jamie Burke, 4. Carmen Farmer, 5. Molly Kinsella, 6. Stacey Bridges, 7. Shaina Turley, 8. Jillion Potter, 9. Kate Daley, 10. Sadie Anderson, 11. Erica Cavanaugh, 12. Sylvia Braaten, 13. Emilie Bydwell, 14. Ashley Kmiecik, 15. Christy RinggenbergReplacements: 16. Katy Augustyn , 17. Sarah Chobot, 18. Sarah Wilson, 19. Sarah Walsh, 20. Kristin Zdanczewicz, 21. Jocelyn Tseng, 22. Kimber Rozier 23. Megan Bonny

Watch every match of the Nations Cup onUSA Rugby TV, beginning at 4:00 P.M. MT Tuesday, July 30.