Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Carlin Isles returns to the Eagles Sevens roster just in time for the first event of the 2017-18 HSBC Sevens Series. The speedster has struggled with injury for the past two seasons, playing only two stops on last year’s circuit and missing half of the 2015-16 season. His return gives the USA two of the fastest men in the competition in Isles and Perry Baker, though their familiar rotation is likely over given Barker’s emergence as a bona fide star culminating in being named 2017 World Rugby Sevens Players of the Year.
There is one new cap set to debut in Dubai. Scioto Valley forward Joe Schroeder made his first appearance in USA colors at the Silicon Valley 7s last month. At 1.96m (6’5″) the 24-year-old is the tallest man on the team and joins an impressive group up front with first choice standouts Danny Barrett and Ben Pinkelman also present. Madison Hughes continues as captain and there is no shortage of experience in the side with Folau Niua playing in his 50th tournament to end last season.
The Eagles finished in 5th place overall last season. They have been drawn in Pool D at Dubai, along with Argentina, Samoa, and New Zealand. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
USA EAGLES 7s
Malon Al-Jiboori, Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Folau Niua, Ben Pinkelman, Joe Schroeder, Stephen Tomasin, Maka Unufe, Naima Fuala’au (13th man)
DAY ONE FIXTURES
Dec 1 – 00:00 ET – vs Argentina
Dec 1 – 03:00 ET – vs Samoa
Dec 1 – 09:22 ET – vs New Zealand
