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Four new names are in line to don the Eagles 7s jersey for the first time during the opening rounds of the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens Series. The new season begins this coming weekend in Dubai, with Cape Town to follow a week later. Head coach Mike Friday will have nine returning players including seven Olympians in his group of 13 selected to set the tempo in the USA’s first steps towards the 2018 Rugby World Cup 7s to be held in San Francisco.
Americas Rugby Championship and PRO Rugby flanker Alec Gletzer earns his first international sevens selection, and he is joined by three further HSBC Series newcomers. Collegiate All-American Anthony Welmers will compete with Gletzer for a spot in the forwards. Denver Barbarians speedster Kevon Williams gets his chance in the absence of injured Carlin Isles. Set to make his senior debut at last is Don Pati, the 26-year-old USA Falcons playmaker who has been on the edge of selection for multiple seasons.
Madison Hughes will again captain the side as they look to build on their 6th place finish in 2015-16, one of seven players who return from Eagles XVs duty. Perry Baker and Maka Unufe are the only veterans who were not part of John Mitchell’s group but are set to return to starring roles under Friday once again.
Matai Leuta and Stephen Tomasin are back in the side having missed out on Olympic selection. Andrew Durutalo returns to the HSBC circuit having missed the entirely of last season with Super Rugby commitments. His future at the Sunwolves is unclear at the moment with the Japanese franchise yet to confirm their squad for the 2017 season.
The Eagles are mixed with South Africa, Scotland, and Uganda in Pool B in Dubai, with the tournament to begin on Friday, December 2. A final squad of 12 players for Dubai will be confirmed on December 1. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
USA MEN’S EAGLES 7s
Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Andrew Durutalo, Alec Gletzer, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Matai Leuta, Folau Niua, Don Pati, Stephen Tomasin, Maka Unufe, Anthony Welmers, Kevon Williams
DUBAI DAY 1 FIXTURES (December 2)
09:44 local, 00:44 ET – vs Scotland
12:44 local, 03:44 ET – vs Uganda
19:06 local, 10:06 ET – vs South Africa
