USA Rugby Eagles
2026 World Rugby Nations Cup
New players for the Rugby Eagles:
The Rugby Eagles are trying to build for both the 2026 Rugby Nations Cup, 2027 Rugby World Cup and the 2031 Rugby World Cup - hosted in the USA. To do this Scott Lawrence the coach has to incorporate new and younger players onto the team. This effects the flow of the team in a negative way.
To do this new younger players have to be incorporated into the team to see if they can “make the team’. We have 6 brand new players set for their debuts in the Nations Cup. John Rizzo, Julian Roberts, Lance Williams, Ma’ake Muti, Mason Pedersen and Perry Mayo are the uncapped prospects selected. Scott Lawrence only has 11 games to see players play before the World Cup. The Tier 1 nations have many players with multiple games played - unlike the USA.
Week 1: Portugal 29-30 USA:
The #16 ranked USA beat #14 Portugal. The impressive part was that Lawrence had four players set to debut for the Eagles – Chicago Hounds lock Nathan Den Hoedt and Nevers wing Perry Mayo get the start while Seattle Seawolves prop Mason Pedersen and Anthem utility back Julian Roberts started on the bench. So 4 new players were incorporated into the Rugby Eagles and the Eagles beat a higher ranked nation. That is impressive. This was a great victory to leapfrog 2 spots up the ranking. It was also impressive since new players were incorporated into the team. It is hard to gel when you have new players.
Week 2 USA v Zimbabwe
Lawrence will have a very inexperienced side again. Lawrence will keep Hoedt and Mayo for their second USA cap games. Peterson and Roberts will again be on bench. Lawrence again will have a debut starting for the Eagles in Lance Williams. William is a former NE Patriot Linebacker at 6’2 is also a former Rugby 7 player. So he has speed and can tackle. ”Lance Williams getting a test debut. The USA built a 12-0 lead only to let it evaporate and be down going into half time 15-12. The Eagles didn't help themselves - when they got a yellow card.
This was the opposite of the Portugal game —where the eagles had to climb out of the hole. Lawrence made changes to a few battered Eagles and the fresh players showed the energy to now wean down Zimbabwe. The score was extremely close but the Eagles scored near end of game to not indicate this close contest. USA 31-15.
Week 3: USA vs Spain
The USA is 2-1 all time v Spain. The Eagles last eh last contest against Spain and the game was played in the states last year. Spain thinks they have caught up to the Eagles in Rugby.
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