USA Rugby announced that Scott Lawrence, head coach of the USA Eagles Men’s Rugby Team, has named a 30-man squad for the upcoming November 2024 Tests in Europe as part of the 2026 Nations Cup. The USA Eagles will face Hong Kong China on November 8 at Stade Marcel-Verchère in Bourg-en-Bresse, France, then travel to Bucharest, Romania, on November 14, and conclude with a match in Tbilisi, Georgia, on November 21.
The USA Eagles currently lead their pool in the Nations Cup with 14 points from three victories and two bonus points, following wins over Portugal, Zimbabwe, and Spain. Defensively, the Eagles are among the strongest teams in the tournament, having allowed only nine tries so far. Chris Hilsenbeck leads the team in scoring with 21 points in the competition.
Coach Lawrence’s squad faces the challenge of 21 regular players from the USA Eagles Elite Player Squad being unavailable due to injury or other reasons. Veteran scrum-half Ruben De Haas, who was expected to earn his 50th cap on this tour, remains sidelined. Spencer Huntley, a Southern California native and former USA U20 captain currently playing in the UK, is a potential scrum-half debutant on the tour.
The squad features returning and new players such as winger John Rizzo, who impressed with six tries over ten games in Major League Rugby with Old Glory DC, center Tom Pittman, speedster Rufus McLean, prop Charlie Abel, an MLR All-First Team selection recently signed with France’s Oyonnax, and Justice Tavai, a Seattle Seawolves prop and former NFL defensive lineman.
Coach Lawrence stressed the importance of winning set pieces, stating, “You have got to win your set piece… if you give them the ball enough times, they are going to score.” The team aims to improve scrum and lineout performances ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2027 and to compete for the Nations Cup title against strong opponents like Georgia, who share the same points total in the pool.
All three matches will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV in the United States.
CSB Take
The USA Eagles face a pivotal November tour that will test the squad’s depth and cohesion as they continue their Nations Cup campaign. Overcoming injuries to key players like Ruben De Haas, the team will rely on emerging talent and established performers to maintain their strong defensive record and improve set-piece execution. Success in Europe not only advances their Nations Cup title hopes but also offers valuable experience and momentum heading toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Source: Original report
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