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The US Eagles have named 26 players to travel to Europe next month. An underwhelming schedule will see them play only two tests – against Germany and Georgia – but the team has named their strongest possible touring party for the trip.
Newly hired Head Coach Gary Gold will not be traveling with the team, instead remaining with Worcester. Assuming the role in an interim capacity is former Crusaders and All Blacks prop Dave Hewett, who most recently acted as forwards coach for the world champion New Zealand u20 side. He will be assisted by Greg McWilliams of Yale, David Williams from Glendale, and former Eagles prop Shawn Pittman.
Injury has ruled out Premiership front row trio Titi Lamositele, Joe Taufete’e, and Chris Baumann. Recalled are props Eric Fry and Olive Kilifi, but there is no reserve hooker named for Peter Malcolm with his Austin Huns clubmate Hanco Germishuys set to provide cover. Glasgow Warriors lock Greg Peterson returns to contention as does powerhouse Toulon loose forward Samu Manoa. Both missed out on the June tests.
[EDIT: USA Rugby have now confirmed that Joe Taufete’e is in fact fit to travel and will join the team along with Chicago Lions utility back JP Eloff.]
Also returning from injury is Blaine Scully. A captain has yet to be confirmed but the Cardiff Blues outside back is favorite to assume the role following the retirement of Todd Clever. AJ MacGinty and Marcel Brache headline the back division that includes one new name. Brigham Young winger Josh Whippy is the only uncapped player in the squad, earning his place after an outstanding performance in the Americas Pacific Challenge.
A detailed roster list can be seen here.
FORWARDS
Eric Fry (Vannes, FR), Olive Kilifi (Seattle Saracens), Paddy Ryan (Highfield, IR), Dino Waldren (London Scottish, UK), Peter Malcolm (Austin Huns), Joe Taufete’e (Worcester Warriors, UK), Nate Brakeley (NYAC), Nick Civetta (Doncaster Knights, UK), Ben Landry (Glendale Raptors), Greg Peterson (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Cam Dolan (Old Blue), Andrew Durutalo (Worcester Warriors, UK), Hanco Germishuys (Austin Huns), Tony Lamborn (Hawke’s Bay, NZ), Samu Manoa (Toulon, FR), John Quill (Glendale Raptors), David Tameilau (Narbonne, FR)
BACKS
Nate Augspurger (Old Blue), Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors), AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK), Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), Marcel Brache (Perth Spirit, AU), Bryce Campbell (Glendale Raptors), JP Eloff (Chicago Lions), Ryan Matyas (Old Blue), Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues, UK), Mike Te’o (Belmont Shore), Josh Whippy (BYU)
FIXTURES
Nov 18 – vs Germany – Brita Arena, Wiesbaden
Nov 25 – vs Georgia – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
