Catie Benson

Prop Catie ‘Benny’ Benson joined Sale Sharks Women, along with fellow US internationals Nick James and Katana Howard, ahead of the 2021/22 Premier15s season. 

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Benny was a childhood cross country star but found rugby through her dad, who played himself and offered to take her to watch a game. 

She started her own career while at Penn State University where she helped lead her team to five national championships across fifteens and sevens. Her performances led to international recognition with USA Rugby U20s in 2012 and Collegiate All-Americans in 2014 and 2015. 

While in college under Head Coach Pete Steinberg, also the USA Women's Eagles Head Coach, Benny made her national team debut against England in 2015, going on to represent the USA at the 2017 and 2021 Rugby World Cups. 

Benny won three D1 Club National Championships with her US club Life West, and as a graduate student, also earned her Doctor of Chiropractic Science degree. 

She names All Black legend Dane Coles as her rugby role model.