Nations Cup: Dress rehersal

The next round of Nations Cup games - and the final round of group games - will be played tomorrow. Play returns to Appleby College in Ontario for this round and the final, so hopefull we'll get a live feed and - fingers crossed - one that works better than in round one as well. Drop by the Rugby Canada Ustream feed at around 8.30pm (BST) tomorrow to see. Its well worth doing as there is always a lively discussion going on to accompany the rugby!

First up will be USA v South Africa, both teams looking for the first win. From reports the USA are struggling with playing so many games in such a short time, so may rest a few of their leading players for this game. If that is the case - and if South Africa can keep their discipline and not give away so many penalties - the Africans might cause a upset. Unlikely though.

England have been very slow to release their team - which is unusual - so quite what to expect from their game (due to kick-off at about 10.30 pm our time) is anyone's guess. You'd think that Gary Street would stick with the team that did so well against South Africa, but he might be also wanting to give his "stars" a chance to show that their performance against the USA was just a one-off in a game where, in theory, the pressure will be off. England should be good enough regardless -the "usual" game will probably be enough as the Canadian forwards will probably not be as powerful as the Americans.The only danger will come from the Canadian backs if they are allowed to run.

* The final and third place games - between the same teams - will be on Saturday, with kick-offs two-and-a-half hours earlier in each case.

** The England team has now been announced - and it is an interesting one. Many of the big names return, but not necessarily in the starting XV. Sarah Hunter is the third England captain in as many matches, though Katy McLean is on the bench, as is Maggie Alphonsi and one of last weekend's stars Nathasha Hunt. On the other hand Kat Merchant, four tries against South Africa, is rested - presumably for the final. The selection also allows some young players a chance to show how they shape up alongside established stars - Marlie Packer wears Maggie's shirt at 7, and Hertfordshire's Sarah McKenna gets to play at inside centre between Claire Allan and Emily Scarratt. The full England 22 is:

15 Danielle Waterman (Worester)
14 Fran Matthews (Richmond)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
12 Sarah McKenna (Old Albanians Saints)
11 Claire Allan (Richmond)
10 Alice Richardson (Richmond) VC
9 La Toya Mason (Wasps)
1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)
2 Vicky Fleetwood (Lichfield)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester)
4 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)
5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
6 Becky Essex (Richmond)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol)
8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) (C)

Replacements:

16 Amy Garnett (Saracens)
17 Claire Purdy (Wasps)
18 Jenny Brightmore (Worcester)
19 Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens)
20 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)
21 Katy McLean(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
22 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)