Callum Black in Eagles squad for June tests

Veteran Ulster prop Callum Black has been named in a 30-man US Eagles squad for the June tests. The 32-year-old loosehead specialist has previously represented Ireland at u21 level and also Emerging Ireland, a national development side, during the 2014 Nations Cup. He qualifies for the USA having been born in Washington DC.

Black is one of two uncapped players in coach Gary Gold’s selection, both props. The other is Houston SaberCats tighthead specialist Paul Mullen. Another product of the Emerald Isle and an Ireland u19 international, the 26-year-old has also played for the USA u20 side at the 2011 Junior World Trophy tournament in Georgia.

Eric Fry is set to win his first cap since November 2016 after missing out on both the 2017 European Tour and the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship with injury. Olive Kilifi also returns to contention as does Glendale flanker John Quill.

Of note is that all 30 members of the roster are attached to professional clubs. Nine are based in Europe, three in the Southern Hemisphere, and the other 18 are currently playing in the inaugural Major League Rugby season. James Hilterbrand is currently linked with Manly Marlins in the Shute Shield and also plays for the Sydney Stars in Australia’s professional National Rugby Championship.

The injury list includes Peter Malcolm, Paddy Ryan, Dino Waldren, Thretton Palamo, Josh Wippy, and Mike Te’o. Also unavailable is Andrew Durutalo while none of the current Eagles Sevens representatives were considered. Titi Lamositele and Greg Peterson are notable absentees who were fit for selection but each have played only a handful of games since returning from injury and will instead be rested.

Among those left out are ARC trio Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, Nate Brakeley, and Psalm Wooching. A clear message has been sent out to domestic players – only those playing in Major League Rugby will be considered. Wooching will head to Italy for the 2018-19 European season while Brakeley will play for the New York MLR entry. Mo’ungaloa has been in discussions with MLR teams but has yet to find a place on a roster, leaving his international future in the balance.

Leading the team once again is Blaine Scully, one of only two specialist outside backs named in the group. Dylan Audsley has been named in the midfield but is expected to play fullback in the absence of Te’o with Marcel Brache and Nate Augspurger also capable of providing cover on the wing.

The Eagles will play three tests during the June international window. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Rugby Europe inquiry, USA Rugby has confirmed a match with Russia along with previously announced Scotland. An away match in Halifax against Canada will round out the series.

FORWARDS
Chris Baumann (Leicester Tigers, UK), Callum Black (Ulster, IR), Eric Fry (Vannes, FR), Olive Kilifi (Seattle Seawolves), Paul Mullen (Houston SaberCats), Dylan Fawsitt (Glendale Raptors), James Hilterbrand (Manly Marlins, AU), Joe Taufete’e (Worcester Warriors, UK), Nick Civetta (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Ben Landry (Glendale Raptors), Siaosi Mahoni (San Diego Legion), Samu Manoa (Toulon, FR), Cam Dolan (San Diego Legion), Hanco Germishuys (Austin Elite), Tony Lamborn (San Diego Legion), John Quill (Glendale Raptors), David Tameilau (Utah Warriors)

BACKS
Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion), Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors), Ruben de Haas (Free State, SA), Ben Cima (San Diego Legion), Will Hooley (Bedford Blues, UK), AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK), Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), Marcel Brache (Western Force, AU), Bryce Campbell (Glendale Raptors), Paul Lasike (Utah Warriors), Ryan Matyas (San Diego Legion), Blaine Scully (capt., Cardiff Blues), Dylan Audsley (San Diego Legion)