Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The US Eagles are set to unleash powerhouse winger Spike Davis for the first time during the upcoming Americas Rugby Championship. Davis confirmed his selection to the senior USA squad on social media, with the full squad yet to be unveiled by USA Rugby. A highly impressive PRO Rugby season with the Ohio Aviators made the 26-year-old a household name in American rugby circles and he then enjoyed a short stint in New Zealand before returning for USA 7s trials. A surprise inclusion in the Eagles training squad during last year’s ARC did not lead to an appearance but Davis now looks a certainty to make his test debut in resident state of Texas during the opening rounds of the competition.
Also certain to be part of the squad is incumbent Eagles captain Todd Clever, whose selection was confirmed by USA Rugby CEO Dan Payne in a recent live video chat. With co-captain Blaine Scully unlikely to be available for much if any of the tournament due to club commitments with Cardiff Blues, Clever looks likely to continue as captain and build on his record 69 test caps with an eye towards taking part in the World Cup qualifier series against Canada in June.
The Eagles begin their 2017 ARC campaign against Uruguay on February 4 at San Antonio’s Toyota Field. Despite finishing second in the inaugural competition in 2016, the Eagles suffered shock defeats to both Los Teros and Brazil. They will have an immediate opportunity to redeem themselves with the Tupis arriving for a match at Round Rock on February 11.
