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The Americas Rugby Championship is now behind us and that means that it’s crunch time for Gary Gold and his Eagles staff. Only the Pacific Nations Cup and perhaps one or two warm-up matches lie between now and the World Cup. The bulk of the squad picks itself but there may be room for a handful of last-minute changes.
A few players might have seen their changes soften somewhat after a tumultuous ARC. While the team pulled victories from the fire against Brazil and Canada, their lackluster form overall will be a concern for Gold & Co. Those on the fringes will be watched closely over the rest of the Major League Rugby season.
Below we take our latest look at how the team might look come September, with selections based on preferences shown previously and during the ARC. One last update will come following the conclusion of the MLR season – provided the Eagles squad isn’t named before then!
USA EAGLES
| ## | NAME | CLUB | POS | CAPS |
FIRST CHOICE
| 1 | Titi Lamositele | Saracens (UK) | LH / TH | 27 |
| 2 | Joe Taufete’e | Worcester Warriors (UK) | HO | 22 |
| 3 | Paul Mullen | Houston SaberCats | TH | 10 |
| 4 | Greg Peterson | Bordeaux Bègles (FR) | LO | 22 |
| 5 | Nick Civetta | Doncaster Knights (UK) | LO | 22 |
| 6 | John Quill | Rugby United New York | FL | 33 |
| 7 | Hanco Germishuys | Glendale Raptors | FL | 15 |
| 8 | Cam Dolan | New Orleans Gold | N8 | 44 |
| 9 | Shaun Davies | Glendale Raptors | SH | 22 |
| 10 | AJ MacGinty | Sale Sharks (UK) | FH | 21 |
| 11 | Marcel Brache | Western Force (AU) | WI / CE | 16 |
| 12 | Paul Lasike | Harlequins (UK) | CE | 13 |
| 13 | Bryce Campbell | London Irish (UK) | CE | 25 |
| 14 | Blaine Scully (c) | Cardiff Blues (UK) | WI / FB | 43 |
| 15 | Will Hooley | Bedford Blues (UK) | FB / FH | 8 |
There is one change to the incumbent first choice side. The outstanding form of Hanco Germishuys sees him usurp Tony Lamborn in the No7 shirt, and it’s hard to see that changing before Japan. Lamborn’s ability to play across the back row makes him a safe choice for the bench, however, so he doesn’t completely miss out on match day selection.
Otherwise it’s business as usual with little if any room for debate. Ruben de Haas continues to impress in his opportunities but Shaun Davies is still the preferred man at scrumhalf, and Marcel Brache looks most likely to settle on the wing though it does leave the Eagles without a genuine flyer should this indeed be the starting backline.
REPLACEMENTS
| 16 | James Hilterbrand | Manly Marlins (AU) | HO | 18 |
| 17 | Eric Fry | Vannes (FR) | LH | 44 |
| 18 | Dino Waldren | London Scottish (UK) | TH | 19 |
| 19 | Samu Manoa | unattached | LO / N8 | 22 |
| 20 | Tony Lamborn | New Orleans Gold | FL | 18 |
| 21 | Ruben de Haas | Free State Cheetahs (SA) | SH | 11 |
| 22 | Will Magie | Glendale Raptors | FH | 23 |
| 23 | Mike Te’o | San Diego Legion | WI / FB | 12 |
James Hilterbrand returned in the ARC and looks to have taken back the second-string hooker spot from Dylan Fawsitt. It’s a position that will be hotly contested through to Japan with Kapeli Pifeleti now throwing his hat in the mix. Peter Malcolm is running out of time to prove his fitness and must be considered a longshot at this point.
Another change sees Mike Te’o restored to the match day 23. His return to form and fitness has been a big plus for the Eagles and it’s not out of the question that he may yet press for a starting role. While he might not have the straight line speed of Gannon Moore, his unpredictable attacking game makes him highly valuable on the wing.
Samu Manoa’s status is something of a mystery but despite his inactivity he keeps his spot. Eric Fry continues his recovery from ACL surgery that saw him miss the ARC but his experience should see him make the plane provided he can prove his fitness in time.
TRAVELING RESERVES
| 24 | Dylan Fawsitt | Rugby United New York | HO | 8 |
| 25 | David Ainu’u | Toulouse (FR) | LH | 5 |
| 26 | Ben Landry | Ealing Trailfinders (UK) | LO / FL | 18 |
| 27 | Malon Al-Jiboori | Glendale Raptors | FL / N8 | 2 |
| 28 | David Tameilau | Glasgow Warriors (UK) | N8 / LO | 15 |
| 29 | Nate Augspurger | San Diego Legion | SH / WI | 21 |
| 30 | Dylan Audsley | San Diego Legion | CE / FB | 8 |
| 31 | Gannon Moore | Utah Warriors | WI / CE | 3 |
The big movers here are David Ainu’u, Malon Al-Jiboori, and Gannon Moore. All three saw time during the ARC and moved up ahead of injury victims. Ainu’u now looks a near certainty having proven his ability to compete at test level. With Titi Lamositele capable of covering tighthead prop as well, Ainu’u can focus on loosehead where he plays for Toulouse.
Back row stocks are surprisingly thin for the Eagles with few really demanding selection. Al-Jiboori got the call in place of Psalm Wooching and the untimely ankle injury suffered by Vili Toluta’u ended any chance of him appearing in the ARC. For the moment the sixth back row spot looks to be earmarked for the Glendale man.
Dylan Audsley and Moore cannot be certain of their spots with Ryan Matyas still very much in the picture should he shake off his injury problems. Nate Augspurger can’t claim to be the third-choice scrumhalf anymore, that title belongs to Nick Boyer, but Augspurger’s versatility makes him more valuable in a tournament setting.
NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
| 32 | Kapeli Pifeleti | San Diego Legion | HO | 2 |
| 33 | Chance Wenglewski | Lindenwood | LH | 3 |
| 34 | Olive Kilifi | Seattle Seawolves | LH / TH | 26 |
| 35 | Nate Brakeley | Rugby United New York | LO | 18 |
| 36 | Psalm Wooching | San Diego Legion | FL | 4 |
| 37 | Vili Toluta’u | Seattle Seawolves | FL | 1 |
| 38 | Nick Boyer | San Diego Legion | SH | 1 |
| 39 | Tadhg Leader | New England Free Jacks | FH | 2 |
| 40 | Ryan Matyas | San Diego Legion | WI / CE | 12 |
| 41 | Tim Maupin | New Orleans Gold | WI | 9 |
| 42 | JP Eloff | New Orleans Gold | FB | 9 |
A shake-up in the front row options is the most notable change here. Pifeleti has moved ahead of Malcolm in the pecking order and could yet force his way into the squad as third choice hooker. Chance Wenglewski has been promoted at the expense of Chris Baumann, whose inactivity sees him dropping out completely for the time being.
Nate Brakeley returned to Eagles duty in the ARC and is now firmly ahead of alternatives Matt Jensen and Siaosi Mahoni. Al-Jiboori’s rise means Brendan Daly dips out but only just. Daly’s ability to cover multiple positions make him a player of interest for the Eagles selectors.
A pair of back rowers have shown strong form in MLR that could see them come into consideration. Former Eagles lock John Cullen has been the best of an underwhelming bunch in Utah and his versatility, like Daly, makes him a unique option, as do his size and athleticism.
Another who looks to be in career-best form is Seattle’s Eric Duechle. Approaching his 33rd birthday he isn’t a long-term option but if the Eagles were interested in a more dynamic player on the blindside, the explosive Duechle certainly fits the bill.
At flyhalf, Tadhg Leader has pushed himself into a reserve role with JP Eloff now specialising at fullback. Conor Kearns drops out as a result. Luke Hume’s hamstring problems have all but ruled him out of contention, leaving few alternatives out wide. The anticipated arrival of Deion Mikesell in New Orleans will be worth watching.
An updated list of the USA’s senior player pool can be seen here.
