Eagles Squad Selected for 2023 RWC Qualifier vs Canada

USA Rugby Release

Head coach Gary Gold has selected 31-players for the opening stage of Rugby World Cup qualification against rivals Canada.

The first match takes place on Sept 4 (KO 3 PM NT) in St. John’s, NL with the second on Sept 11 (KO 7 PM MT) at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. Broadcast info will be confirmed closer to date. Tickets for the Glendale match are available at www.usa.rugby/tickets.

A total of 24 players will return from the Eagles’ July tests against England (L 29-43) and Ireland (L 10-71) with Flyhalf AJ MacGinty returning as Captain. MacGinty recently healed from an injury that forced him to miss the aforementioned summer fixtures.

Additional roster highlights include:

  • Ryan Matyas who last featured in 2018 against Romania
  • Nate Augspurger, Dylan Fawsitt, and Chance Wenglewski who last featured at Rugby World Cup 2019
  • Luke Carty and Christian Dyer return after promising performances in July
  • Benjamin Bonasso and Moni Tonga’uiha could earn their first cap
  • Will Hooley remains out to continue rehab from injury
  • Assistant Coach Shawn Pittman is back with the squad after being named MLR Head Coach of the Season with the Utah Warriors

Head Coach Gary Gold said: “We’re looking forward to picking up where we left off in July with the bulk of our players from that group and some returning faces to compliment the squad. Obviously, we’re all excited to have AJ back and to see him lead the team as Captain. Bryce did an excellent job as Captain against England and Ireland, as well, so having them both to guide this group will be a huge benefit.

“Canada has certainly improved as a team, they are a well-coached and formidable opponent that we need to respect. It is extremely important for us to be efficient and effective in our training so we can execute effectively, gain success on the field and hopefully progress. Overall, I’m excited to get this group back together and hit the ground running.”

Men’s XVs National Team Roster

PLAYER NAME

POSITION

CLUB

CAPS

David Ainu’u

Prop

Toulouse

11

Nate Augspurger

Scrumhalf / Wing

San Diego Legion

26

Michael Baska

Scrumhalf

Utah Warriors

2

Benjamin Bonasso

Back Row

Rugby United New York

Uncapped

Marcel Brache

Center / Fullback

Unattached

24

Nate Brakeley

Lock

Rugby United New York

25

Bryce Campbell

Center

Austin Gilgronis

34

Luke Carty

Flyhalf / Center

LA Giltinis

2

Nick Civetta

Lock

Rugby United New York

28

Ruben de Haas

Scrumhalf

Saracens (ENG)

19

Cam Dolan

No. 8

NOLA Gold

53

Christian Dyer

Wing

USA Sevens

2

Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz

Flanker / No. 8

Old Glory DC

3

Dylan Fawsitt

Hooker

Rugby United New York

15

Hanco Germishuys

Flanker

Rugby United New York

23

Andrew Guerra

Flanker

NOLA Gold

1

Matt Harmon

Prop

NOLA Gold

2

Ryan James

Wing

LA Giltinis

uncapped

Mika Kruse

Wing / Center

Utah Warriors

2

AJ MacGinty

Flyhalf

Sale Sharks (ENG)

28

Will Magie

Fullback

Austin Gilgronis

27

Siaosi Mahoni

Lock

San Diego Legion

2

Ryan Matyas

Wing / Center

San Diego Legion

12

Paul Mullen

Prop

Utah Warriors

20

Gregory Peterson

Lock

Newcastle Falcons

32

Kapeliele Pifeleti

Hooker

Saracens (ENG)

4

Mikey Sosene-Feagai

Hooker

Old Glory DC

6

Joe Taufete’e

Prop

Lyon (FRA)

29

Tesimoni Tonga’uiha

Flanker

NOLA Gold

uncapped

Dino Waldren

Prop

NOLA Gold

21

Chance Wenglewski

Prop

Rugby ATL

6

 

Men’s XVs National Team Staff

  • Head Coach Gary Gold
  • Asst Coach Rob Hoadley
  • Asst Coach Steve Brett
  • Asst Coach Shawn Pittman
  • Head of Strength & Conditioning Huw Bevan
  • Asst Strength & Conditioning Josh Schnell
  • Performance Analyst Jimmy Harrison
  • Team Doctor Sam Akhavan
  • Head Physiotherapist Kristen Douhan
  • Athletic Trainer Ron Klingensmith
  • Sports Massage Therapist Dahlia Hurwitz
  • Team Manager Oscar Alvarez

Men’s XVs National Team Fall Schedule

Broadcast details are TBA

September 4, 2021, vs Canada, KO 3 PM NT, Swilers Rugby Club, St John’s, Newfoundland

September 11, 2021, vs Canada, KO 7 PM MT, Infinity Park, Glendale, CO Tickets Here

October 2, 2021, vs South America TBC KO 6 PM MT, Infinity Park, Glendale, CO, Tickets Here

October 11, 2021, vs South America TBC, Time and location TBC

October 23, 2021, vs All Blacks, KO 3 PM ET FedEx Field, Washington, D.C. Tickets Here

October 30, 2021, vs Ireland, KO To be Confirmed, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV, Tickets Here

The Americas Qualification Process

Round 1 – USA vs Canada

  • USA at Canada | September 4

  • Canada at USA | September 11

*Winner on net points is North America 1

*Loser on net points is North America 2

Round 2 – North America vs South America

  • Uruguay (South America 1) at North America 1 | October 2

  • North America 1 at Uruguay | October 9

*Winner on net points earns automatic qualification  in RWC 2023 as Americas 1

*The loser on net points plays the winner of below for Americas 2

  • Chile (South America 2) at North America 2 | October 2

  • North America 2 at Chile | October 9

*Winner on net points stays in the qualification process and plays the loser of North America 1 & Uruguay series for Americas 2

Round 3 – TBD in 2022

  • The loser of Uruguay v North America 1 series plays the winner of Chile v North America 2

  • The winner of this net points series qualifies automatically for RWC ‘23 as Americas 2

  • The loser of Round 3 still has one last opportunity to qualify for the RWC by representing the Americas in the Repechage tournament.

**Argentina automatically qualified for the 2023 RWC based on their performance in the 2019 RWC

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North American Rugby News With A USA Slant