Rogers set to become most capped women’s USA Eagle against Tessier’s Canada

Exeter Chiefs Women’s prop Hope Rogers is set to become the most capped women’s USA Eagles player of all time as she prepares to take on Canada on the opening weekend of the 2025 Pacific Four Series.

She equalled the women’s Eagles cap record last weekend against, tying with Jamie Burke on 51 caps, when the USA played Japan. Her record 52^nd appearance comes 12 years after her debut against France in 2013.

Exeter Chiefs interim head coach Steve Salvin said: "Hope is a trailblazer and has set new standards for a prop. Her 47 tries in 48 games for Chiefs being the best example. She is very talented but more importantly has an even better work ethic and has a resilience and a drive not matched by many. Hope becoming the most capped Eagle is no surprise to those that know her they will also know how much this means to her. It is very much deserved and everyone at Chiefs is incredibly proud of her."

Rogers will face reigning PAC4 champions Canada in the first fixture of this year’s tournament, which will kick-off at 1.30am (BST) on Saturday, May 3, at the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. She will be joined by Gabby Cantorna, Charli Jacoby and Rachel Johnson. 

"I feel a lot of gratitude," said Rogers. "I’ve been blessed to put a USA jersey on and be apart of this team for 12 years now. The journey is full of ups and downs and it makes you realise even more how you can’t do it alone. I’m forever grateful for my teammates, coaches, staff, and people I’ve met along the way who have pushed me and believed in me especially when I didn’t.

"I just think it’s crazy how one choice to go to a rugby practice in high school changed the course of my whole life. I was just a girl who loved playing the game and wanted to see where I could go with it. I never imagined where the game would take me and all I could accomplish then.

"Seeing women’s rugby grow, this USA programme and team grow, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to continue to push limits of myself and this team. I have full confidence and belief in this group and team to be one of the best in the world. And I’m just grateful to still be apart of it enjoying it and growing with the team."

Amid the Canadians she will face will be fellow 2024 World Rugby Women's 15s Dream Team of the Year and Exeter Chiefs teammate Alex Tessier, who has been selected as her country’s captain. She was captain for the final game of 2024’s WXV competition but this is the first time she has been named to lead the squad ahead of a tournament.

Tessier said: “It is such an honour and privilege to captain Canada, the number two ranked team in the world. I am filled with immense pride but not much changes at the end of the day, I still must lead by example and put my best self forward for the team every day.

“We have just started our 2025 Rugby World Cup journey with training in the States and we’re now focusing on our first test match against the USA. We have some of the best preparation planned all the way until the start of World Cup, which is super exciting, and vibes have been really good in training.”

She added: “I am so pleased for Hope. It’s amazing to see female athletes pave the way for their country."

Tessier will start at fly-half for Canada with Taylor Perry at inside centre. DaLeaka Menin, Mikiela Nelson and Emily Tuttosi will be looking to make an impact from the bench. 

Meanwhile Sabrina Poulin continues to represent Canada for the finale of the HSBC SVNS season in Los Angeles.