Collegiate All-Americans named to play Oxford

Head coach Gavin Hickie has named 25 players in his Collegiate All-American squad that will congregate for a friendly against Oxford University in Philadelphia on September 16. The match will act as a prelude to the Aviva Premiership fixture between European champions Saracens and Newcastle Falcons at Talen Energy Stadium.

A number of names will be familiar to American rugby followers, including four players already capped at senior international level. Life Universiy front rowers prop Alex Maughan, Wheeling Jesuit hooker Peter Malcolm, Brigham Young lock Matt Jensen, and Indiana midfielder Bryce Campbell were all part of the USA Eagles squad during the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship.

Also present are USA Junior All-American captain Malon Al-Jiboori and speedy fullback Cristian Rodriguez. Two other USA Select XV representatives get the call in Lindenwood teammate Chance Wenglewski and UCal Berkeley graduate Nick Boyer. Former PRO Rugby standout Jeremy Lenaerts is a second row selection and Life prop Estevan Florez is set to play before joining the Houston Strikers for their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign.

Oxford University’s status both as an academic institution and as a rugby team need no exposition. They were defeated by rivals Cambridge in the 2016 Varsity Match, their first defeat in the celebrated contest since 2009. Former Collegiate All-American fullback Conor Kearns is among those currently on Oxford’s playing roster.

Kickoff is set for 2:30pm Eastern with a live broadcast provided by The Rugby Channel.

FORWARDS
Estevan Florez (Life), Alex Maughan (Life), Brian McKellar (Penn State), Kevin Sullivan (UCal Berkeley), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood), Chad Gough (Utah), Peter Malcolm (Wheeling Jesuit), Matt Jensen (Brigham Young), Jeremy Lenaerts (Central Washington), Malon Al-Jiboori (Lindenwood), Alec Barton (Saint Mary’s), Maciu Koroi (Life), Connor McNerney (Naval Academy), Blace Walser (Arkansas State)

BACKS
Nick Boyer (UCal Berkeley), Holden Yungert (Saint Mary’s), Brady Gent (Davenport), Cody Melphy (Life), Teddy Terezis (Indiana), Bryce Campbell (Indiana), Duncan van Schalkwyk (Life), Jake Lachina (West Point), Vetekina Malafu (Kutztown), Mitch Wilson (Life), Cristian Rodriguez (Lindenwood), Marcus Tupuola (Notre Dame)