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The ‘interim’ tag is now gone from Scott Lawrence’s job title. USA Rugby has confirmed that the 48-year-old will assume the Head Coach role of the Men’s Eagles in a permanent capacity, as well as becoming General Manager of the Men’s XVs pathway. The length of the agreement has not been made public.
Lawrence stepped into the role following Gary Gold’s resignation, which came shortly after the Eagles failed to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023. This past past year he led the Eagles on a three-match tour of Europe that included a win over Romania, and followed it up with strong wins over Brazil and Spain to claim the La Vila Cup in November.
More recently Lawrence has been active in helping to revitalize the men’s development program and played an integral role in securing funding from World Rugby for the new Anthem program that will compete in Major League Rugby. In a statement, he says his immediate focus will be on World Rugby under-20 Trophy Qualification and expansion of the under-18 program.
“There is just an overwhelming sense of gratitude to the 26 professionals across our men’s XVs pathway and senior programs, the FiDO Senior Eagles leadership group, and more than 200 donors who made 2023 a positive step forward toward returning to qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Reflecting on all of their hard work and the support of the USA Rugby community, it truly feels like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants.”
A former Eagles flanker who played five tests in 2006, Lawrence previously led the USA u20s to victory at the 2012 World Junior Trophy. He then coached Life University to a national collegiate championship before taking up an assistant role with the Eagles in 2017. Three years later Lawrence co-founded Rugby ATL, serving as Head Coach and GM until the MLR side fell under new ownership in 2022.
