Nations Cup 2011 Preview

By Ali Donnelly

England, the reigning Six Nations and European Trophy champions, are the favourites going into the competition where they have a 100% success rate. Canada will be hoping to turn their 2011 7s form into success on the 15s stage while the US and South Africa are hoping to build on their World Cup development.

England:Overwhelming favourites to win every game in Canada, England go into the Nations Cup in strong form. Current Six Nations and European Trophy champions, England are taking six uncapped players to the tournament, but they still boast the strongest squad. Saracens hooker Amy Garnett is set to reach a major milestone at the tournament with Englands most capped player of all time needing just four games to make her 100th appearance for her country a remarkable achievement for any player. Gary Street has started the long road to the next World Cup in impressive form in 2011 with England quashing all before them, and with their U20s side also in imperious form, expect to see the team in white dominate again in this competition.

Player to watch: Claire Allan. The Richmond centre was forced to watch the World Cup from the sidelines last year due to injury and shell be bursting to make an impact this year. An elusive mid-field player who should cause defences lots of bother if she gets a chance.

Canada: This will be the first outing for Canada since they finished sixth at last years World Cup. With a new head coach at the helm and eight uncapped players in the squad, we are likely to see a much revitalized side especially considering the inclusion of a number of players who have been so hugely successful on the 7s front for Canada this year. Players like Mandy Marchak have already played a huge role in national success this year winning the Vegas and Dubai 7s and coach John Tait will be hoping that the squads 7s success can make an impact on his 15s side interestingly he coaches both teams. For Canada their game against the US will bear more of a grudge than normal as they were beaten by their nearest rivals at the World Cup on the final day last year. That will hold some extra motivation for a team who will be aiming for a place in the final at this event.

Player to watch:Mandy Marchak. A hugely experienced centre, shes been a leading force on the 7s front this year and is an important leader in this team. If she plays well, Canadas backline are likely to fire so her form will play a big role.

USA: The USA are also having their first run-out since last years World Cup and like Canada, they are out to impress a new coach since the departure of the Kathy Flores last year. New man at the helm Pete Steinberg has introduced some new players to the set-up and hell look at this competition as an opportunity to begin his World Cup journey with a new squad. The USA had a strong finish to their World Cup campaign last year, defeating Canada in the last game and going out on a high. Pre-season training has seen a major focus on the set-piece so expect to see some improvement in that area. Will battle it out with Canada for second spot.

Player to watch: Katie Dowty. A player with bags of talent and ability, she has shown great promise on the 7s circuit already this year and is likely to make a strong impact for her side if she gets her chance.

South Africa: Denver Wannies has name six new caps in his squad who are aiming to build on their performances at last years World Cup. In that competition the key areas that cost the enthusiastic South Africans were discipline and inexperience and in the case of the former at least they will simply have to improve if they are to have a chance of winning a game in the Nations Cup. With their U20s also competing last month in the Nations Cup for the first time there are signs that South Africa will start developing much more depth.

Player to watch:Natasha Hoffmeester, the livewire back missed the World Cup and the former SA player of the year will add much needed speed and leadership in a youthful looking backline.

Squads:

USA: Stacy Baker (Keystone), Libby Berg (Minnesota Valkyries), Stacey Bridges (At-Large), Jamie Burke (Beantown), Lisa Butts (Nor Cal Triple Threat), Sarah Chobot (Minnesota Valkyries), Kate Daley (Chicago North Shore), Lauren Daly (At-Large), Farrah Douglas (Washington DC Furies), Devin Keller (Keystone), Lynelle Kugler (Twin City Amazons), Laura Miller (Washington DC Furies), Shaina Turley (San Diego Surfers), Kittery Wagner (Beantown), Sadie Anderson (Penn State), Sylvia Braaten (Twin City Amazons), Rebecca Brafman (New York Rugby Club), Amy Daniels (Beantown), Katie Dowty (Beantown), Victoria Folayan (Berkeley All-Blues), Pam Kosanke (Chicago North Shore), Jennifer Lui (Chicago North Shore), Kaelene Lundstrum (Twin City Amazons), Kim Magrini (Keystone), Vanesha McGee (New York Rugby Club), Samantha Pankey (James River)& Carrie White (Seattle Rugby).

Canada: Jessica Belchos Markham Irish Canadians (Innisfil, ON), Marie Bosco Ottawa Irish (Ottawa, ON), Andrea Burk Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC), Kim Donaldson Burnaby Lake (Vancouver, BC), Jess Dovanne Valkyries (Victoria, BC), Arielle Dubisette Toronto Nomads (Ajax, ON), Corinne Jacobson Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (Vancouver, BC), Maria Jaworski Calgary Hornets RFC (Calgary, AB), Shannon Kane Velox Valkyries (Victoria, BC), Jen Kish Edmonton Rockers (Edmonton, AB), Ghislaine Landry Toronto Scottish (Toronto, ON), Ashley MacDonald Lethbridge RFC (Corran Ban, PEI), Kayla Mack Wild Oats (Saskatoon, SK), Mandy Marchak- Capilano RFC & Saracens, UK (Vancouver, BC), Brittany Orr Lethbridge RC (Lethbridge, AB), Cheryl Phillips Toronto Scottish RFC (Toronto, ON), Marie-Pier Pinault Reid Club de Rugby de Qubec (Qubec, QC), Danielle Rowlands Calgary Hornets (Colonsay, SK), Kelly Russell Toronto Nomads (Bolton, ON), Laura Russell Toronto Nomads (Bolton, ON), Laura Stoughton Calgary Hornets RFC (Calgary, AB), Julia Sugawara Burnaby Lake (Vancouver, BC), Brandi Van Eeuwen Lethbridge RC (Duncan, BC), Brittany Waters Meraloma Athletic Club (Vancouver, BC), Kelsey Willoughby Lethbridge RC (Lethbridge, AB) & Julianne Zussman- Town of Mount Royal RFC, ( Montreal, QB).

South Africa: Pulane Motloung, Yolanda Meiring (Blue Bulls), Mandisa Williams, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Ziyanda Tywaleni, Nolusindiso Booi, Nwabisa Ngxatu (Border), Daphne Scheepers, Lamla Momoti, Zandile Nojoko, Phumeza Gadu, Zenay Jordaan, Nomathamsanqa Faleni, Namhla Siyolo, Cebisa Kula, Sisphosethu Tshangana (Eastern Province), Dolly Mavumengwana, Lusanda Mtiya (KwaZulu-Natal), Natasha Hofmeester, Nedene Botha, Laurian Johannes, Denita Wentzel, Janine Felix (Western Province), Onicca Moaga (SWD). Team Management: Denver Wannies (Coach), Dumisani Mhani (Assistant-coach), Denzil van Heerden (Biokineticist), Tanushree Pillay (physiotherapist), Orna Prinsloo (Team Manager).

England:Claire Allan (Richmond), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Jennifer Brightmore (Worcester), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Jane Leonard (Wasps), La ToyaMason (Wasps), Francesca Matthews (Richmond), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Sarah McKenna (Old Albanians), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Claire Purdy (Wasps), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park), Danielle Waterman (Worcester) & Kay Wilson (Richmond).