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Just when Eagles fans were starting to feel really good about themselves the bad news starts piling up at the worst possible time. First it was the injury list; Greg Peterson, Samu Manoa, Danny Barrett, Thretton Palamo, Blaine Scully. Then came the confirmation of John Mitchell’s impeding departure. Now just days before the Ireland test they’ve lost another key player in Titi Lamositele. Their favorites tag heading into the World Cup qualifying series against Canada remains but its value beyond historical results has been significantly diminished.
RECENT FORM
Steady progress through the opening weeks of the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship was washed away with atomic banana peels in São Paulo and Montevideo. The rest of the year was patently forgettable with only two tests each in June and November, three of which were losses with the only win a 25-0 result over a poor Russian selection in Sacramento.
Enter 2017 and suddenly there is renewed optimism. A rocky start but a win over Uruguay kicked things off and then three consecutive 50+ point victories. The draw with the Argentina XV was a moral victory that more importantly earned the ARC title.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
The Eagles aren’t quite prospering in World Rugby Rankings terms, but 17th overall is a reasonable position to be in given the lack of a signature win on their record. Ireland of course are way ahead in 4th place but will be sending a depleted side with some called to the British & Irish Lions and others injured or exhausted. In 12th spot Georgia are a more achievable target but have sent their strongest possible side, clearly unwilling to risk their own standing while they bid for greater exposure to Tier 1 sides. Canada have not beaten the Eagles since 2013 and have dropped to 23rd overall on the log.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The incumbent captain also happens to be the smallest player in the squad. Few would have tabbed Nate Augspurger as a future Eagles leader while he was getting his feet wet on the HSBC Sevens Series and now few would deny the energy he brings to the side in whatever role he is asked to play. He was a shock selection on the wing during the ARC but proved perfectly capable. With Shaun Davies also in the mix for the scrumhalf role there is no shortage of options available to coach Mitchell.
Arguably the breakthrough player of the year is midfielder Bryce Campbell. With size, strength, and a good pair of hands the former Indiana star, now with Glendale Raptors, is a difficult proposition for any kind of adversary. His tackling certainly doesn’t require any revision. Once again the question remains where he is best suited, in the No 13 shirt where he has been largely employed this far or one spot in.
A surprise choice heading into the 2015 World Cup, Joe Taufete’e is now a leading member of the team whose influence should only increase having signed a permanent deal with Worcester Warriors of the Aviva Premiership earlier this year. ‘Big Joe’ has rapidly become a favorite with the faithful at Sixways for his persuasive carrying ability but also his consistency at the set piece. The Eagles will be counting on Taufete’e to carry that form over to the international area.
VERDICT
The Eagles are effectively the polar opposites of their northern neighbors in terms of form but cannot rest on their laurels. Without some of their best players they are vulnerable. Ireland will be a good prelude to the Georgia match which will in turn lead into the World Cup qualifiers. A win over either would be a sizeable upset on paper, and reality isn’t much further from the mathematical truth.
Canada is the main target, however, and the one that Mitchell will have his sights narrowed in on with a first-ever Americas 1 designation up for grabs. Such a prize would be a feather in the cap of the departing Mitchell, whose tenure has been short but
FIXTURES
| DATE | PT | MT | ET | OPPONENT | LOCATION |
| Sat, June 10 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 16:00 | Ireland | Red Bull Arena, Harrison |
| Sat, June 17 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 19:00 | Georgia | Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw |
| Sat, June 24 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 15:00 | Canada | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton |
| Sat, July 1 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 18:00 | Canada | Torero Stadium, San Diego |
