Three Irish Players to Face USA in London

Three Irish players have been named in a Nomads selection to take on the USA Eagles this week in London.

The Nomads are an international all-star team much like that of the famed Barbarians. The team started as an English Premiership all-star team but now players can only play for the Nomads if they have been capped by a national side, and the current squad contains players from 11 countries.

The Irish representation is made up of current international player Jo O’Sullivan and former capped stars Nicki Milne and Eryka Wessell.

A host of other well known internationals are included such as Non Evans from Wales and former England scrum half Jo Yapp.

“A lot of international players come to England while they are still playing for their country or after they have retired from international rugby,” said Nomads manager Fiona Stockley. “They were there to provide stiff competition for England A, and after a while it’s expended to be a more inclusive team.”

This will be the first match of the Nomads season, which includes two games against England A.

The Saturday, December 8 clash between the Nomads and the USA, at London Irish’s grounds in Sunbury, is expected to be made available on a webcast. Details to come.
The Eagles will also take on England A on  December 12 at Sunbury and they will return on December 15 for the test against England.

There is also an Irish connection in the USA squad with the inclusion of flanker Shaina Turley. She played for a season with University College Cork (UCC) in 2004/5 where she made a major impression in the All Ireland Colleges League.