Todd plans to box Clever for Eagles

US Eagles flank Todd Clever says his team can't wait to test themselves in their opening game of the Churchill Cup against England Saxons at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

Speaking after training at the Butts Park Arena, Coventry, Clever said: "I ran through the Saxons squad after they announced it and it's a good team. It's really good for us to play against a quality team.

"I'm sure they are going to want to put in a good performance after the Barbarians and guys will want their say towards to the World Cup squad. It is not going to be an easy task at all but for us we are looking forward to playing against the Saxons and it should be a fun one."

The Eagles will have their eye on the World Cup too and Clever added: "We said in our opening meeting, just because you are here it doesn't mean you are going to make the World Cup squad.

"Just because the maths says there are 28 players here and 30 going to the World Cup, there are some guys that are either injured at the moment or getting rested because they have had long seasons in England or France. So basically it is a trial for everybody and you have to put your best foot forward in every training session, every meeting and obviously every game."

The USA arrived on Tuesday and used Wednesday's practice session as an opportunity to blow away the cobwebs, with Clever saying: "It was pretty wet, there was some slipping and some sliding but it was good to get out and a good welcome back to England with the rain and grey."