photo credit: Mike Lee / KLC / World Rugby

USA names travel squad for Hong Kong

Mike Friday has named 15 players in an extended squad to travel to the Hong Kong Sevens. The most notable changes are the returns of Stephen Tomasin and Maka Unufe from injury. Tomasin has missed the last three tournaments with a knee injury while Unufe missed Vancouver with a badly bruised thigh.

Also called into the group are Pat Blair and Cody Melphy, two of five San Diego Legion players included. The others are Malon Al-Jiboori, Chris Mattina, and Brett Thompson. Blair and Melphy were both involved in the Major League Rugby preseason match against Austin Elite on Saturday.

The Eagles are currently in 6th place overall on the 2017-18 HSBC Sevens Series standings after six events. With four stops remaining they trail 5th-place Argentina by just four points and 4th-place Australia by 11. England are just three points behind in 7th place.

Joining the USA in Pool D will be Argentina, France, and Wales. The three-day tournament kicks off on Friday, April 6 (Thursday, April 5 in North America).

USA EAGLES SEVENS
Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Pat Blair, Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Malon Al-Jiboori, Matai Leuta, Chris Mattina, Cody Melphy, Folau Niua, Ben Pinkelman (capt.), Brett Thompson, Stephen Tomasin, Maka Unufe, Kevon Williams

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Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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