The Allianz Premier 15s is the United Kingdom’s professional women’s competition, and it was fully operational for the 2020-21 season. Five Eagles joined the Exeter Chiefs last year, and in 2021-22, the number of Americans playing overseas has doubled. All 10 teams are contesting their season-openers this weekend, and the entirety of Round 1 can be viewed on a free live-stream: Learn more.
Four of the five Eagles who played for Exeter last year have returned, with Jojo Kitlinski remaining stateside this year. Kate Zackary has been named captain of the Chiefs, which debuted in the league last year, and the loose forward (who also played a little center) is joined by Gabby Cantorna, Rachel Johnson and Jennine Duncan, whose time on the pitch was cut short due to an injury last year. All four are on the roster for Saturday’s season-opener against Bristol: Zackary is at seven, Cantorna has moved from center to flyhalf, Duncan (pictured below) is on the wing and loose forward Johnson is in the reserves.
Sale Sharks has followed suit and inked three Eagles in front rows Nick James (Houston Athletic RC) and Catie Benson (Life West), and flyhalf Katana Howard (Twin Cities Amazons). Sale also includes Georgie Perris-Redding, who spent the summer with ARPTC and stood out during the USA Club 7s National Championship. James, Benson and Howard aren’t on this Saturday’s roster against Worcester, and they’ll miss the opportunity to square up against USA’s Alycia Washington (New York), who committed to the Warriors this season. Washington is playing lock on Saturday.
Two more Americans are in the reserves for their respective new teams. Scrumhalf Carly Waters (Colorado Gray Wolves) will hopefully take the pitch for Saracens against the Wasps, and Loughborough prop Charli Jacoby (Chicago North Shore) might see time against the Harlequins Saturday.
All told, that’s 10 Eagles in the full-time 15s environment, and there’s new-signing announcements every day, so that pool could grow. Below are the opening-weekend Premier fixtures, all of which are available on a free live-stream. Click here for the season’s live-stream schedule, which adjusts to two free matches per weekend through Round 5.
SAT SEPT 4
Time is BST
12 p.m. Exeter @ Bristol
1:30 p.m. Worcester @ Sale
3 p.m. Saracens @ Wasps
4:30 p.m. DMP Durham @ Gloucester-Hartpury*
SUN SEPT 5
3 p.m. Loughborough @ Harlequins
* Game does not feature any American players