Eagles name squad for Rugby World Cup

USA Rugby has confirmed the 31 players who will travel to Japan for the Rugby World Cup. Blaine Scully captains the side, one of 10 returnees from RWC 2015. The Eagles were the last remaining team to declare their roster, today being the final deadline for submissions.

The return of Eric Fry and Titi Lamositele against Canada earn both spots in the front row. Olive Kilifi’s ability to cover both sides of the scrum gets him a spot with Lamositele set to start at tighthead prop, his most frequent position at Saracens. James Hilterbrand is given the third hooker spot with 20-year-old Kapeli Pifeleti left out.

Nick Civetta is named in the second row despite still recovering from a serious ankle injury. There is a full compliment of six loose forwards named with USA Sevens vice-captain Ben Pinkelman named on the flank with only two caps and zero test starts to his name. David Tameilau and new cap Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz are among the missing.

The only surprise choice – and a minor one at that – is the selection of another sevens standout, Martin Iosefo, on the wing. Iosefo’s blend of power and athleticism was on display against Canada, his try booking a place on the plane ahead of the likes of Gannon Moore and Ryan Matyas.

With all warm-up matches now behind them, the next game for the USA will be their opening match at the tournament against England in Kobe on September 26. Their pool fixtures also include France in Fukuoka, Argentina at Kumagaya, and Tonga in Osaka.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
David Ainu’u (Toulouse, FR), Eric Fry (Vannes, FR), Olive Kilifi (Seattle Seawolves), Titi Lamositele (Saracens, UK), Paul Mullen (Houston SaberCats), Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), James Hilterbrand (Manly Marlins, AU), Joe Taufete’e (Worcester Warriors, UK), Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York), Nick Civetta (Doncaster Knights, UK), Ben Landry (Ealing Trailfinders, UK), Greg Peterson (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Hanco Germishuys (Glendale Raptors), Tony Lamborn (Melbourne Rebels, AU), Ben Pinkelman (USA Sevens), John Quill (Rugby United New York), Malon Al-Jiboori (Glendale Raptors), Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold),

BACKS
Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion), Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors), Ruben de Haas (Free State Cheetahs, SA), AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK), Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), Bryce Campbell (London Irish, UK), Paul Lasike (Harlequins, UK), Thretton Palamo (Houston SaberCats), Marcel Brache (Western Force, AU), Martin Iosefo (USA Sevens), Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues, UK), Mike Te’o (San Diego Legion), Will Hooley (Bedford Blues, UK)