MLR talent in USA South squad for Colombia tour

The USA South Panthers will travel to Colombia from August 1 to 7 for two matches. It’s a tour that has been postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second match will be a ‘test’ against Las Tucanes on Saturday, August 6 at the Estadio Moderno Julio Torres in Barranquilla.

Included in the squad are nine players with Major League Rugby experience. NOLA front rowers Alex Lopeti and George Sharpe, New York prop Peter Reyes, Old Glory No8 Josh Brown, Free Jacks flanker Justin Johnson, and Seawolves scrumhalf Reid Watkins all appeared during the 2022 season. Second row Max Dacey, back row Matt Hughston, and winger Marcus Satavu are the others with MLR appearances.

Earlier this year it was announced that Mexico would also make the trip but it will now be only Colombian opponents. The Panthers played against the Austin Outlaws in December but have not toured internationally since playing the Cayman Islands at George Town in 2019.

FORWARDS
Sam Chaney (Clarksville), German Jalil (Miami Tridents), Peter Reyes (Rugby New York), Jimmy Sheridan (Old Blue), Bryan Todman (Palm Beach), Alex Lopeti (NOLA Gold), George Sharpe (NOLA Gold), Max Dacey (American Raptors), Zack Jessell (Atlanta Old White), Sean McFetridge (New Orleans RFC), Josh Brown (Old Glory DC), Austin Grant (Atlanta Old White), Matt Hughston (Charlotte), Justin Johnson (New England Free Jacks), Ethan Suznevich (Charlotte)

BACKS
Mauro Pettenari (Miami Tridents), Reid Watkins (Seattle Seawolves), Matt Mairowitz (Miami Tridents), Lucas Baistrocchi (Atlanta Old White), Eric Populus (NOVA), Andrew Robb (Austin Blacks), David Coleman (Rocky Gorge), Marcus Satavu (Hartford Harpooners), Sam Trammel (Atlanta Renegades), Nahuel Wingord (Raleigh)