Eagles ARC Squad – Who’s Available When

Accompanying the announcement of the USA squad for the upcoming Americas Rugby Championship was a chart of sorts indicating the availability of each player over the course of the five games. Most of the professional players will only be present for a couple games, with the Argentina match clearly being targeted with the most experienced group, while the later matches against Brazil and Uruguay given significantly less priority. Here’s a breakdown of who is available when, and what the squads for each game will look like. While there is some versatility in the backs, these look the most likely permutations.

A note before we get started, Titi Lamositele has been named in the squad but does not appear to be available for any matches at this time with Saracens keen to keep him as part of their match-day roster.

Feb 6 vs ARGENTINA (Houston)

The strongest group of the tourney, with World Cup veterans Greg Peterson, Cam Dolan, Taku Ngwenya, and Blaine Scully available for only this match. Dolan can slot in either in the second or back row, likely depending on whether new caps Alec Gletzer and Bruce Thomas are handed a start on debut. Mike Te’o is listed at scrumhalf but could be just about anywhere. James Bird and JP Eloff look the prime candidates at flyhalf, with Jake Anderson seemingly earmarked for the fullback position. The big boys in the backs – Lemoto Filikitonga, Mike Garrity, and Chad London (all 100kg/220lbs+) – are available for the whole Championship and are expected to contest the midfield.

PROP – Chris Baumann, Eric Fry, Olive Kilifi, Joe Taufete’e
HOOKER – James Hilterbrand, Mike Sosene-Feagai
SECOND ROW – Ben Landry, Greg Peterson, David Tameilau
BACK ROW – Todd Clever, Cam Dolan, Alec Gletzer, Bruce Thomas, Matt Trouville
SCRUMHALF – Tom Bliss, Niku Kruger, Mike Te’o
FLYHALF – James Bird, JP Eloff
MIDFIELD – Lemoto Filikitonga, Mike Garrity, Chad London
OUTSIDE BACKS – Jake Anderson, Kingsley McGowan, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Blaine Scully

FEB 13 vs CANADA (Austin)

No changes in the front row, but Peterson and Dolan drop out of lock contention, so Matt Trouville will have to cover though he could still start at no8. Flanker Pat Blair comes into the squad for the first time. Luke Hume returns from nearly 20 months on the sidelines to take Ngwenya’s spot, and Nick Edwards steps in for Scully.

PROP – Chris Baumann, Eric Fry, Olive Kilifi, Joe Taufete’e
HOOKER – James Hilterbrand, Mike Sosene-Feagai
SECOND ROW – Ben Landry, David Tameilau, Matt Trouville
BACK ROW – Pat Blair, Todd Clever, Alec Gletzer, Bruce Thomas
SCRUMHALF – Tom Bliss, Niku Kruger, Mike Te’o
FLYHALF – James Bird, JP Eloff
MIDFIELD – Lemoto Filikitonga, Mike Garrity, Chad London
OUTSIDE BACKS – Jake Anderson, Nick Edwards, Luke Hume, Kingsley McGowan

FEB 20 vs CHILE (Fort Lauderdale)

Eric Fry heads back to England and in comes newcomer Demecus Beach, the big Life University loosehead. Former u20 captain Cameron Falcon finally steps up at hooker as James Hilterbrand departs, to where we’re not quite sure as he’s not currently under contract to a pro club. Veteran Kansas City lock Brodie Orth joins the team pushing Trouville back to loose forward. No changes in the backs.

PROP – Chris Baumann, Demecus Beach, Olive Kilifi, Joe Taufete’e
HOOKER – Cameron Falcon, Mike Sosene-Feagai
SECOND ROW – Ben Landry, Brodie Orth, David Tameilau
BACK ROW – Pat Blair, Todd Clever, Alec Gletzer, Bruce Thomas, Matt Trouville
SCRUMHALF – Tom Bliss, Niku Kruger, Mike Te’o
FLYHALF – James Bird, JP Eloff
MIDFIELD – Lemoto Filikitonga, Mike Garrity, Chad London
OUTSIDE BACKS – Jake Anderson, Nick Edwards, Luke Hume, Kingsley McGowan

FEB 27 vs BRAZIL (São Paulo)

The team departs for South America. Todd Clever returns to Newcastle Falcons and promising athlete Aladdin Schirmer takes his place as a loose forward. Blair leaves the group and is replaced by top prospect Hanco Germishuys, who will be free from u20 commitments whether the All-Americans defeat Canada or not. Hume’s return is short-lived and Seattle speedster Tim Stanfill is recalled, while former 7s cap Ryan Matyas comes in to take the versatile outside back role from Edwards.

PROP – Chris Baumann, Demecus Beach, Olive Kilifi, Joe Taufete’e
HOOKER – Cameron Falcon, Mike Sosene-Feagai
SECOND ROW – Ben Landry, Brodie Orth, David Tameilau
BACK ROW – Hanco Germishuys, Alec Gletzer, Aladdin Schirmer, Bruce Thomas, Matt Trouville
SCRUMHALF – Tom Bliss, Niku Kruger, Mike Te’o
FLYHALF – James Bird, JP Eloff
MIDFIELD – Lemoto Filikitonga, Mike Garrity, Chad London
OUTSIDE BACKS – Jake Anderson, Ryan Matyas, Kingsley McGowan, Tim Stanfill

MAR 5 vs URUGUAY (Montevideo)

It’s another 2000 km (1240 miles) south to the Uruguayan capital, and the traveling group of 26 remains unchanged barring injury. Whoever sits out against Brazil likely steps in against Los Teros.

PROP – Chris Baumann, Demecus Beach, Olive Kilifi, Joe Taufete’e
HOOKER – Cameron Falcon, Mike Sosene-Feagai
SECOND ROW – Ben Landry, Brodie Orth, David Tameilau
BACK ROW – Henco Germishuys, Alec Gletzer, Aladdin Schirmer, Bruce Thomas, Matt Trouville
SCRUMHALF – Tom Bliss, Niku Kruger, Mike Te’o
FLYHALF – James Bird, JP Eloff
MIDFIELD – Lemoto Filikitonga, Mike Garrity, Chad London
OUTSIDE BACKS – Jake Anderson, Ryan Matyas, Kingsley McGowan, Tim Stanfill