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First pick in 2024 MLR Draft among three potential USA Eagles debutants

198 days ago

United States players line up for the national anthem prior to the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Final between Fiji and United States at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Three rising stars from Major League Rugby are in line to potentially make their international debuts in an intriguing Test this weekend. Shilo Klein, Tomas Casares and Erich Storti have been named in the USA Eagles’ matchday 23 to face Portugal in Coimbra, just north of Lisbon.

San Diego Legion’s Klein has been named in the First XV at hooker, while Casares from the Miami Sharks and Anthem Rugby California’s Storti may come off the pine. Keep an eye out for Storti who was the first overall pick in this year’s MLR Draft.

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Bristol Bears flyhalf AJ MacGinty also returns to the Eagles’ setup for the first time since the 42-7 loss to Scotland at Audi Field in July. The veteran playmaker missed Test matches in the Pacific Nations Cup against Canada, Japan, Fiji, and finally Samoa.

For the third time in as many years, the USA will face Portugal but they’re yet to taste sweet victory in those fixtures. The last two editions have finished in a tie and a loss for the Eagles, but 10 of the 23 from the last meeting are set to suit up again as they chase revenge.

Head-to-Head

Last 3 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

67%

Home team wins

33%

“Our goal this tour remains the same from the Pacific Nations Cup, to compete and get better each week,” Head Coach and General Manager, Scott Lawrence, said in a statement.

“This Saturday is our first opportunity to do that. What we’ll take into consideration is who we’re playing and what they’re going to bring, but as always focus on our own performance objectives.

“Portugal is coming off an extensive Rugby World Cup campaign, so we’ll face a cohesive team that will be a good test of our focus as a young team, looking to stay switched on for all 80 minutes.”

Joining debutant Klein in the front row is 10-Test loosehead Jack Iscaro and Anthem Rugby Carolina’s Alex Maughan. Jason Damm will pack down with the highly experienced Greg Peterson, who will captain the Eagles in his 49^th international appearance.

There’s a bit of a San Diego Legion mix to the backrow with MLR teammate Viliami Helu joining Paddy Ryan in the loose forwards trio. Cory Daniel from Old Glory DC is the other starting forward, with the seven-cap enforcer getting the nod to start at openside flanker.

Ruben DeHaas will link up with MacGinty in a halves combination that boasts 70 international appearance between them. They’ll have Seattle Seawolves’ Tavite Lopeti outside them in the No. 12 jersey, while collegiate superstar Dominic Besag has been named at outside centre.

Nate Augspurger will line up on the left wing, while the MLR’s first-ever first-overall draft pick Conner Mooneyham starts on the right. Former New England Free Jack Mitch Wilson rounds out the starting side as the team’s fullback.

Other than potential debutants Casares and Storti on the bench, the influence of Luke Carty could also be significant.

This match is scheduled to get underway at 11:00 am ET on Saturday, November 9. Fans can watch the action live on FloRugby.

USA Men’s Eagles to play Portugal

Jack Iscaro – Old Glory DC
Shilo Klein – San Diego Legion*
Alex Maughan – Anthem Rugby Carolina
Jason Damm – RFCLA
Greg Peterson (c) – San Diego Legion
Viliami Helu – San Digo Legion
Cory Daniel – Old Glory DC
Paddy Ryan – San Diego Legion
Ruben DeHaas – Cheetahs
AJ MacGinty – Bristol Bears
Nate Augspurger – Chicago Hounds
Tavite Lopeti – Seattle Seawolves
Dominic Besag – Saint Mary’s College
Conner Mooneyham – Anthem Rugby Carolina
Mitch Wilson – Anthem Rugby Carolina

Replacements

Kapeli Pifeleti – Saracens
Jake Turnbull – Anthem Rugby Carolina
Pono Davis- Houston Sabercats
Tomas Casares – Miami Sharks**
Tesimoni Tonga’uiha – NOLA Gold
Ethan McVeigh – Old Glory DC
Erich Storti – Anthem Rugby Carolina**
Luke Carty – Unattached

*Denotes debut

**Denotes potential debut

Comments

1 Comment

JW 198 days ago

Back to back MLR champions The Free Jacks don’t have one player in the match day 23. Am I missing something ?

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 12 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 12 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 12 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍