Eagles eye second Nations Cup win over Zimbabwe

The USA Men’s Eagles are set to face Zimbabwe in Charlotte, North Carolina, aiming to build on their dramatic 30-29 victory over Portugal in Denver. This Saturday's match marks the first international test between the two nations, providing a crucial opportunity for the Eagles to solidify their position in the Nations Cup standings.

Following their tight win, the Eagles ascended two places to 14th in the World Rugby rankings USA Rugby reported on the climb. They now prepare to host 25th-ranked Zimbabwe, continuing their Nations Cup campaign. Head Coach Scott Lawrence's squad will be looking for a more comprehensive performance after identifying areas for improvement from their season opener.

Zimbabwe Sables
@SablesRugbyZW

🇿🇼 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

The Zimbabwe Sables have named their Match-Day 23 for their World Rugby Nations Cup clash against the USA Eagles in Charlotte, North Carolina.

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Sables vs USA Mens Eagles 🇺🇸
📅 12 July 2026
⏰ Kick-off: 1:30 AM CAT
Live on RugbyPass

Jul 9, 2026View on X

Squad Adjustments and Debut Opportunities

Lawrence and his staff have named a largely consistent match-day squad, though a few key changes have been made. Alex Maughan steps in at hooker, replacing Kapeli Pifeleti, who has been sidelined due to injury. Makeen Alikhan and Lance Williams have been selected as flankers, with Williams poised to make his 15s debut for the USA staff changes reported by USA Rugby.

On the wing, Conner Mooneyham joins the starting XV, filling in for Rufus McLean, who is also unavailable due to injury. These adjustments highlight the depth within the Eagles' setup as they navigate a demanding schedule.

Coach Lawrence's Focus on Improvement

Transitioning from the high altitude of Colorado to the heat of North Carolina, Coach Lawrence emphasized the team's focus on refining their game. "We now know the priority areas where we need to improve," Lawrence stated Lawrence acknowledged areas to improve, indicating a targeted approach to preparation. He stressed the team's attention is now fully on their upcoming performance against Zimbabwe, acknowledging the talent of their opponents and their staff.

Nations Cup Trajectory and Future Fixtures

This encounter with Zimbabwe is the second of three matches for the USA in their Nations Cup series. After Charlotte, the squad will travel to Cary, North Carolina, to face Spain in their final fixture. These matches provide vital international experience and ranking points for the Eagles.

Fans can watch the action live on Paramount+. For those interested in attending, tickets remain available for both the upcoming Zimbabwe match and the final game against Spain tickets available said USA Rugby. This run of home fixtures is a critical component of wider American rugby coverage, offering the Eagles a chance to build momentum and cohesion against international competition.