Brakeley, Davis join Eagles ARC roster

Head coach John Mitchell has called up two reinforcements to his US Eagles squad to prepare for the second match of the Americas Rugby Championship against Canada this Saturday at Dell Diamond in Austin, Texas. Former Cambridge Blue and Dartmouth College second row Nate Brakeley is joined by fellow newcomer Aaron Davis, an American football convert who has most recently been involved with the Eagles 7s High Performance camp after coming through the Tiger Rugby Academy in Ohio. The pair replace injured duo Matt Trouville, ruled out for several months with a damaged knee, and San Francisco Golden Gate flanker Bruce Thomas respectively.

Also joining the group is Cameron Falcon. The New Orleans hooker was due to join the squad in Florida but has been called up a week early to bolster front row resources. Kansas City lock Brodie Orth had already arrived two weeks early prior to the Argentina match after Trouville’s untimely withdrawal. Seattle flanker Pat Blair and outside backs Nick Edwards and Luke Hume, both affiliated with clubs in New York, had previously been announced as joining the group to cover for the loss of four professional players.

Glasgow lock Greg Peterson, Biarritz winger Takudzwa Ngwenya, and Cardiff Blues pair Cam Dolan and Blaine Scully have returned to their clubs. Newcastle prop Eric Fry will remain with the Eagles until after the Canada match, while clubmate Todd Clever will stay one week further for the match against Chile in Florida. Front row cover James Hilterbrand is also set to depart after this weekend’s match.

Saturday’s game will enjoy full test status, with the Eagles looking to extend their three-game winning streak over their northern neighbors. The starting lineups for the match are expected to be named on Thursday, with the Eagles due to name a new captain as well after Scully’s departure. Meanwhile Canada are set to name a virtually unchanged side after the decisive victory over Uruguay in Langford.

US EAGLES vs Canada

FORWARDS
Chris Baumann (Austin Blacks), Eric Fry (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Olive Kilifi (Seattle Saracens), Joseph Taufete’e (Belmont Shore), Cameron Falcon (New Orleans), James Hilterbrand (North Harbour Rays, AU), Mike Sosene-Feagai (Belmont Shore), Nate Brakeley (N.Y.A.C.), Ben Landry (Seattle Saracens), Brodie Orth (Kansas City Blues), Pat Blair (Seattle Saracens), Todd Clever (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Aaron Davis (Belmont Shore), Alec Gletzer (Olympic), David Tameilau (Life West)

BACKS
Tom Bliss (Ealing Trailfinders, UK), Niku Kruger (Glendale Raptors), Mike Te’o (Belmont Shore), James Bird (Old Blue), JP Eloff (Chicago Lions), Lemoto Filikitonga (Metropolis), Mike Garrity (Seattle Saracens), Chad London (Glendale Raptors), Nick Edwards (N.Y.A.C.), Luke Hume (Old Blue), Kingsley McGowan (Trinity College, IR), Jake Anderson (Olympic)