Full strength Eagles to defend ARC title

Gary Gold has selected his strongest available USA squad to contest the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship. The Eagles have their sights on a third consecutive title after completing a first-ever Grand Slam in 2018. Included in the 35-strong group are 15 overseas professionals with collegiate standouts Chance Wenglewski and Duncan van Schalkwyk the only amateurs.

Absent due to injury are six players, the most notable captain Blaine Scully. Cam Dolan is the most experienced man in the squad and the No8 is favorite to lead in Scully’s absence. Also missing out are prop Eric Fry, flankers Tony Lamborn and Psalm Wooching, and versatile backs Nate Augspurger and Dylan Audsley.

Austin hooker Peter Malcolm is named though his recovery process from a knee injury will keep him out of the first two matches. Other returnees from long-term absences are speedy outside backs Luke Hume and Mike Te’o. The former won the most recent of his 20 test caps in June 2016. Like Malcolm, Te’o is not yet fully fit but is expected to play a part in the North American leg of the tournament.

Star flyhalf AJ MacGinty is named though he has yet to make an appearance for Sale Sharks since his October shoulder surgery. Samu Manoa is currently a free agent after leaving Cardiff Blues but will suit up for the Eagles in the ARC.

Australia-based James Hilterbrand is back in the picture after falling just short of full fitness ahead of the November tests. He is one of five hookers in the squad. With only three set to travel to Japan and first choice Joe Taufete’e a certainty, competition for spots will be intense.

There are three new caps in the squad. 19-year-old hooker Kapeli Pifeleti, an England u18 international, is immediately called into the senior side along with newly-qualified Free Jacks flyhalf Tadhg Leader. van Schalkwyk is selected as a scrumhalf after playing at flyhalf with the Junior All-Americans in 2016 and more recently with Life Running Eagles.

With a squad of 31 to be selected for the 2019 World Cup later this year, players outside the group face an uphill battle to make Japan with Major League Rugby now the only opportunity to impress selectors. Notables falling in that category include Seattle pair Olive Kilifi and Vili Toluta’u, NOLA star JP Eloff, and currently unattached prop Chris Baumann.

The USA open their tournament on the road with matches against Chile in Santiago on February 2 and the Argentina XV at Marabunta Rugby Club a week later. A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
David Ainu’u (Toulouse, FR), Titi Lamositele (Saracens, UK), Paul Mullen (Houston SaberCats), Dino Waldren (London Scottish, UK), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood), Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), James Hilterbrand (Manly Marlins, AU), Peter Malcolm (Austin Elite), Kapeli Pifeleti (San Diego Legion), Joe Taufete’e (Worcester Warriors, UK), Nick Civetta (Doncaster Knights, UK), Ben Landry (Ealing Trailfinders, UK), Samu Manoa (unattached), Greg Peterson (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Malon Al-Jiboori (Glendale Raptors), Cam Dolan (New Orleans Gold), Hanco Germishuys (Glendale Raptors), John Quill (Rugby United New York), David Tameilau (Glasgow Warriors, UK)

BACKS
Nick Boyer (San Diego Legion), Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors), Ruben de Haas (Free State Cheetahs, SA), Duncan van Schalkwyk (Life), Will Hooley (Bedford Blues, UK), Tadhg Leader (New England Free Jacks), AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK), Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), Marcel Brache (Western Force, AU), Bryce Campbell (London Irish, UK), Paul Lasike (Harlequins, UK), Luke Hume (Rugby United New York), Ryan Matyas (San Diego Legion), Tim Maupin (New Orleans Gold), Gannon Moore (Utah Warriors), Mike Te’o (San Diego Legion)