Italy name team for USA clash as Eagles chase historic winning run

Beatrice Rigoni will make her first Italy start in over 13 months when the Azzurre take on the USA Women’s Eagles in Texas on Saturday.

The Sale Sharks centre starts in midfield alongside Blagnac’s Alyssa D’Incà. Alia Bitonci and Emma Stevanin form the half-back partnership, while Francesca Granzotto, Aura Muzzo and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi make up the back three.

In the forwards, there is one debutant in the form of Mascia Jelic. The Benetton Rugby Treviso flanker starts in the back row alongside Francesca Sgorbini and Elisa Giordano.

With Silvia Turani injured, Vittoria Zanette is selected at loosehead prop. Vittoria Vecchini and Alessia Pilani also start in the front row, while Giulia Cavina and Giordana Duca form the second-row partnership.

The USA Women’s Eagles head into the home leg of their WXV Global Series campaign having beaten Ireland and Wales in Europe.

Combined with their July victory over the Springbok Women, those results mean the Eagles have won three consecutive Test matches for the first time since 2006.

The USA are targeting a fourth consecutive Test victory, with Kaipona Bailey set for her first start alongside co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding and Freda Tafuna in the back row.

Elsewhere in the pack, Hallie Taufoou and Rachel Ehrecke form the second-row partnership, while Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder and Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele make up the front row.

In the backs, Bulou Mataitoga comes into the starting XV, allowing Telesi Uhatafe to shift to the left wing. Ashley Cowdrey starts at full-back.

Abigail Paton and Nina Mason continue their partnership at half-back, while Bella Vogel remains at inside centre alongside Emily Henrich.

USA Women’s Eagles head coach Jack Hanratty said: “We worked hard in Ireland and Wales and closing out two Test matches brings such confidence to the group.

“The recharge week was just as important as our week in Chula Vista, where we really focused on evolving the way we approach and think about the upcoming challenges.

“We have had some squad rotations and changes but since day one, we have said if we are going to challenge the top nations we are not looking to develop a world-class team but a world-class squad.”

USA Women’s Eagles: 15. Ashley Cowdrey, 14. Bulou Mataitoga, 13. Emily Henrich, 12. Bella Vogel, 11. Telesi Uhatafe, 10. Nina Mason, 9. Abigail Paton; 1. Hope Rogers, 2. Kathryn Treder, 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele, 4. Hallie Taufoou, 5. Rachel Ehrecke, 6. Kapoina Bailey, 7. Georgie Perris-Redding (co-captain), 8. Freda Tafuna

Replacements: 16. Paige Stathopoulos, 17. Alivia Leatherman, 18. Mona Lisa Tupou, 19. Erica Jarrell-Searcy (co-captain), 20. Hann Humphreys, 21. Kate Zackary, 22. Taina Tukuafu, 23. Katana Howard

Italy: 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (captain), 14. Aura Muzzo, 13. Alyssa D’Incà, 12. Beatrice Rigoni, 11. Francesca Granzotto, 10. Emma Stevanin, 9. Alia Bitonci; 1. Vittoria Zanette, 2. Vittoria Vecchini, 3. Alessia Pilani, 4. Giulia Cavina, 5. Giordana Duca, 6. Francesca Sgorbini, 7. Mascia Jelic, 8. Elisa Giordano

Replacements: 16. Silvia Fent, 17. Giorgia Cuoghi, 18. Gaia Dosi, 19. Elettra Costantini, 20. Alissa Ranunccini, 21. Sofia Stefan, 22. Sara Mannini, 23. Gaia Buso