The US Eagles are set to be without their star flyhalf and newly-appointed captain for the July internationals and beyond. AJ MacGinty was stretchered off with a knee injury in the 80th minute of Sale’s Premiership match against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.
Specifics of the injury are yet to be confirmed, and its severity could yet have further implications for the Eagles. Their World Cup Qualifying series against Canada is to be played in the first week of September with a possible Americas 1 decider slated for October.
Flyhalf alternatives within the USA’s traveling squad are Will Hooley and the uncapped Luke Carty. With Will Magie also currently sidelined with a hamstring injury it’s not clear who would be called in as a replacement. Cam Dolan and Bryce Campbell loom as possible candidates to fill the captaincy.
It’s a terrible blow for MacGinty, who has been one of the Premiership’s most influential players this season. He led the Sharks to 3rd place on the table and finished second on the individual scoring charts. Sale are due to rematch Exeter in the Semi Final next weekend.