Clever captains Eagles against Canada

Todd Clever is captain of the US Eagles once again. Months after being unceremoniously dumped from the squad by former coach Mike Tolkin, the Newcastle Falcons loose forward will extend his Eagles record to 43 tests as skipper in the pivotal second round Americas Rugby Championship contest against Canada on Saturday. Clever retains his spot in a side that shows six changes to the starting lineup that tied the Argentina XV at BBVA Compass Stadium, another two on the bench. With no caps awarded for the non-test Argentina match, there remains 10 uncapped players in the run-on side and five in the reserves.

Former Samoa u20 hooker Mike Sosene-Feagai earns a first test start after deputising for Joseph Taufete’e in Houston, with Brodie Orth and David Tameilau reprising their roles of a week ago. Ben Landry fills the vacancy left by the departure of Greg Peterson, with Cam Dolan’s spot taken by Nate Brakeley, a surprise choice on the blindside flank having been called up during the week to replace the injured Matt Trouville.

The multi-skilled Mike Te’o starts at scrumhalf in place of Niku Kruger in one of three changes to the backs. Takudzwa Ngwenya and Blaine Scully have returned to their professional clubs, handing opportunities to returnee Luke Hume and new cap Jake Anderson. For Hume it marks an end to a frustrating period of nearly 20 months on the sidelines with injury, his last international appearance also coming against Canada at Sacramento in June 2014.

Seattle Saracens pair Pat Blair and Mike Garrity join the bench having miss out on the previous match. They are joined by uncapped trio James Hilterbrand, Alec Gletzer, and JP Eloff. Of those only Gletzer saw the field in Houston, a late replacement first for a bloodied Clever, then as a permanent sub for Tameilau.

The Eagles are flying high against their friendly rivals, having won three tests in a row since losing the World Cup qualifiers in August of 2013. Kickoff is set for 6pm local time (7pm EST, 4pm PST) at Dell Diamond in Austin, Texas. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and streamed via USA Rugby for international viewers.

A World Rugby u20 Trophy tournament qualifier match will be played by the respective u20 sides of the two countries immediately following, also to be streamed from the USA Rugby site.

USA
1 Eric Fry 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai 3 Chris Baumann 4 Brodie Orth 5 Ben Landry 6 Nate Brakeley 7 Todd Clever (capt.) 8 David Tameilau 9 Mike Te’o 10 James Bird 11 Kingsley McGowan 12 Lemoto Filikitonga 13 Chad London 14 Luke Hume 15 Jake Anderson

16 Joseph Taufete’e 17 Olive Kilifi 18 James Hilterbrand 19 Pat Blair 20 Alec Gletzer 21 Niku Kruger 22 JP Eloff 23 Mike Garrity