O'Sullivan brings in some 'new' Eagles
The originally announced United States Select XV's player pool has seen a handful of changes during the past few weeks and USA Rugby has released a revised roster of players set for assembly on October 4 in Glendale, Colorado - ahead of the Americas Championship later this month.
"It's unfortunate some players had to withdraw from the player pool, but it does create a great opportunity for some new guys to be seen," USA head coach Eddie O'Sullivan said.
"We are happy with this final pool and feel that between the course of the two upcoming games, we should be able to see far into our depth chart."
The US Select XV player pool was selected by O'Sullivan and his Eagles staff, but will be coached by San Francisco Golden Gate's head coach Paul Keeler. There has been a full 33 players selected to assemble, but with a restriction in place to allow only 23 to travel to Toronto, the squad will be narrowed down later next week.
"Fortunately, everyone will be able to play within the course of those two games," O'Sullivan explained.
"The first step is preparation for Argentina, and we will focus on the match against the Canadian regional team after that's complete."
Select XV Coach Paul Keeler is excited to get the preparations for the ARC underway. The Canadian regional team will have already played four matches by the time they meet the US Select Team in Toronto, but Keeler is acutely aware that the US can't hold anything back when it faces Argentina in the semifinals.
"We understand that the Argentina Jaguars have put together a strong side and are excited to play this match," Keeler said. "There is a lot of work to be done, and we are really looking forward to getting started."
Replacing the IRB North America 4, the Americas Championship is intended to provide a competitive platform between domestic and international rugby. A key component of the IRB's Strategic Investment Program, the new Championship will feature six teams, four Canadian regional teams, the Argentina Jaguars and the USA Select XV side, and aims to unite rugby in North and South America in a high performance sub-international structure for the first time.
The four Canadian teams have spent the month of September competing in a round robin format with the top two sides – the Ontario Blues and BC Bears - meeting on October 10 at the Brockton Oval in Vancouver. The other semifinal on October 10, will pit the Jaguars against the USA Select XV side at Glendale's Infinity Park in Colorado.
"The introduction of Argentina and possible expansion to include other teams in the future is an exciting expansion of our cross-border aspirations for the event," CEO and President of Rugby Nigel Melville said.
"The ARC will provide Eagles Head Coach Eddie O'Sullivan and his assistant coaches with an opportunity to observe and work with domestically-based potential Eagles players prior to the important November international window."
US Select squad:
Forwards: Chris Baumann (Life University), Chris Biller (California), Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore RFC), Patrick Danahy (Life University), Brian Doyle (New York Athletic Club RFC), Kevin Erskine (San Francisco Golden Gate), Jamie Hugh (Life University), Jimmy Jewison (Dallas Harlequins), Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC), Daniel La Prevotte (San Francisco Golden Gate), Tony Lewis (Unattached), Samuela Manoa (San Francisco Golden Gate RFC), Ryan McTiernan (New York Athletic Club), Garrett Peterson (Denver Barbarians), Jacob Sprague (Boston Irish Wolfhounds), Steve St. Pierre (Brigham Young University), Phil Theil (Life University).
Backs: Maximo DeAchaval (Denver Barbarians), Corey Blair (Belmont Shore), Nicholas Edwards (New York Athletic Club RFC), Archil Guala (Unattached), Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC), Benny. Mateialona (Life University), Don Pati (University of Utah), Leonard Peters (Gentlemen of Aspen), Milemoti Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate RFC), Mark Roberts (Chicago Lions), Dallas Robinson (Unattached), Volney Rouse (San Francisco Golden Gate), Peter Sio (Belmont Shore), Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach RFC), Brendan Thompson (Life University).
Recently unavailable: Nate Ellis (Chicago Lions), Jason Englebrecht (Dallas Harlequins), Tai Enosa (Pearl City RFC), Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City RFC), Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC), Louis Stanfill (NYAC), Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC), Shalom, Suniula (Pearl City RFC), Ben Wiedemer (Belmont Shore).
Match schedule:
September 7: The Rock (Atlantic) 31, Prairie Wolf Pack 23
September 12: BC Bears 29, Ontario Blues 24
September 19: BC Bears 8, The Rock 7
September 19: Prairie Wolf Pack 14, Ontario Blues 13
September 26: BC Bears 52, Prairie Wolf Pack 14
September 26: Ontario Blues 32, The Rock 5
Semifinals:
October 10: BC Bears vs. Ontario Blues
October 10: Argentina Jaguars v USA Selects
Finals
October 17: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2
October 17: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2