Denver's Eagles eye home win

Denver Barbarians John Van Der Giessen and Nic Johnson can propel USA Eagles up the world rankings when they play Georgia in Sunday's Churchill Cup Test at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Van Der Giessen lines up at lock and Johnson at No 8 on their home ground while Takudzwa Ngwenya and Salesi Sika have both returned from playing overseas in France.

The game is not only a competition for the Churchill Cup Bowl (fifth and sixth place), but also carries international significance as it is a Test that could affect the Eagles' 19th place ranking against the Georgians' 15th.

"Georgia marks our fifth match in three weeks," said O'Sullivan, "Our challenge is trying to balance getting the training in that we need with the fact that we are starting to see a bit of fatigue.

"Again we've gotten a couple new players who have joined the squad from overseas, which have allowed for a few changes. We continue to narrow down the squad for the upcoming IRB Rugby World Cup qualifier match. With only one match to go, we are closing in on what it should be."

The backline will feature one of the most experienced line-ups this season for the USA, as Sika, Ngwenya, Paul Emerick, and Chris Wyles all look to start.

Colin Hawley joins the line at wing, as the only uncapped player on the squad, but even he has seen time in both earlier Churchill matches against the Argentina Jaguars and the England Saxons. Tim Usasz and Mike Hercus will play scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively, while Mike Petri and Valenese Malifa will both look for time off the bench.

In the front row, Matekitonga Moeakiola is joined by Chris Biller and Shawn Pittman, while Louis Stanfill and Denver's Van Der Giessen, will both start at lock.

Captain Todd Clever will flank with J.J. Gagiano, while another Denver resident, Johnson, will start at No 8.

Joe Welch, Mike MacDonald and Hayden Smith are all listed as forward replacements for the U.S. squad, while Alipate Tuilevuka will wear No. 22.

Standing in the Eagles' way is the No. 15 internationally-ranked Georgia team, which has made great strides in its Churchill Cup debut against Canada and Ireland A

Georgia head coach Tim Lane said: "Our performance in the first game was disappointing, but we improved a lot in the second. It's been a great experience for us to play teams that are above us and below us (in the rankings)."

"We look forward to facing the U.S. on Sunday - they're a tough team at the breakdown and play hard defense."

For the Bowl match-up versus the USA, Lane's starting 15 features several switches from the team's last outing versus Ireland A and instead reverts back to the heart of his line-up from the team's first Churchill Cup flight against Canada.

David Dadunashvili (Perigaux) and Giorgi Jgenti (Oyonnax) lead the pack at loosehead and tighthead prop, respectively, while Iuri Natriashvilli reclaims his spot at hooker.

In the second row, Giorgi Nemsadze (Domont) makes the move to No. 4 and Rati Urushadze (Enisei-STM) takes back his original starting role at No. 5. Captain Grigol Labadze (Toulon) holds steady at blindside flanker, and he is joined by Simon Maisuradze (Clermont-Ferrand ASM).

Dimitri Basilaia (Morlaàs) replaces Zviad Maisuradze (Lokomotivi) at No. 8.

The backline showcases almost entirely the same talent showcased in Georgia's meeting versus Canada, with the exception of the left wing, where Irakli Machkhaneli gets his first start of the tournament.

"It's obviously a great experience for our team to play against countries we haven't met previously. It's been a great tournament for the younger players and veterans alike to gain more experience," said Georgia captain Grigol Labadze.

USA: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya,13 Paul Emerick, 12 Salesi Sika 11 Colin Hawley,10 Mike Hercus,9 Tim Usasz,8 Nic Johnson, 7 Todd Clever (captain), 6 J.J. Gagiano,5 John Van Der Giessen, 4 Louis Stanfill ,3 Shawn Pittman ,2 Chris Biller, 1 Matekitonga Moeakiola,
Replacements:16 Joe Welch, 17 Mike MacDonald,18 Hayden Smith, 19 Alec Parker, 20 Mike Petri,
21 Nese Malifa, 22 Alipate Tuilevuka,

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Aleksander Todua,13 Davit Kacharava12 Revaz Gigauri,,11 Irakli Machkhaneli, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Giorgi Rokhvadze,8 Dimitri Basilaia,7 Simon Maisuradze ,6 Grigol Labadze (captain),5 Rati Urushadze, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Giorgi Jgenti, 2 Iuri Natriashvili, 1 David Dadunashvili,
Replacements: 16 Giorgi Lomgadze, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Levan Datunashvili, 19 Irakli Gundishvili, 20 Zviad Maisuradze, 21 Lekso Gugava, 22 Teimuraz Sokhadze