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

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.

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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 2 Meetings

Wins
1
Draws
1
Wins
0
Average Points scored
31
18
First try wins
50%
Home team wins
50%

“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.

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“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 49th 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.

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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.

Related

USA Men’s Eagles to play Portugal

  1. Jack Iscaro – Old Glory DC
  2. Shilo Klein – San Diego Legion*
  3. Alex Maughan – Anthem Rugby Carolina
  4. Jason Damm – RFCLA
  5. Greg Peterson (c) – San Diego Legion
  6. Viliami Helu – San Digo Legion
  7. Cory Daniel – Old Glory DC
  8. Paddy Ryan – San Diego Legion
  9. Ruben DeHaas – Cheetahs
  10. AJ MacGinty – Bristol Bears
  11. Nate Augspurger – Chicago Hounds
  12. Tavite Lopeti – Seattle Seawolves
  13. Dominic Besag – Saint Mary’s College
  14. Conner Mooneyham – Anthem Rugby Carolina
  15. Mitch Wilson – Anthem Rugby Carolina

Replacements

  1. Kapeli Pifeleti – Saracens
  2. Jake Turnbull – Anthem Rugby Carolina
  3. Pono Davis- Houston Sabercats
  4. Tomas Casares – Miami Sharks**
  5. Tesimoni Tonga’uiha – NOLA Gold
  6. Ethan McVeigh – Old Glory DC
  7. Erich Storti – Anthem Rugby Carolina**
  8. Luke Carty – Unattached

*Denotes debut

**Denotes potential debut

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Comments

1 Comment
J
JW 13 mins 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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Head high tackle 1 hour ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

Nick I think a lot of teams 10,12 and 13 combo's suffer considerably when compared to the Carter, Nonu, Smith era. I cant think of any other world combo that comes close to that combo. 3 once in a generation players all doing their thing collectively. Carter is possibably the best ever player and Nonu and Smith are world class in any generation. Im old enough to remember the runner/playmaker 12s of yesteryear and rugby was much simpler then. The defensive systems of today are so studied and practiced that the space is no longer there in the midfield.

Under Foster the backs never quite looked as fluid as the Carter, Nonu, Smith trio and thats mainly due to Mounga, Jordie B and Reiko just not being close in standard to the other 3. Your recent article around the ABs 70%, shows clearly that Mounga is no Carter and that the 12 and 13 players who have replaced Nonu and Smith just arnt Nonu and Smith.

There is hope for Razor to develop that area next year and beyond but Razor has been more conservative at centre than any other area. So far Razor has avoided change but I think it will come. Both current centres are makeshift centres who grabbed the positions due to injury and have kept them.

Spot on around WJ and his skillset tho. He certainly has a few skill deficiencies compared to many 15s and I would be very happy for him to stay at 14, but also happy if he develops his kicking and playmaking from 15 as he brings something no one else does. He is very good at passing or offloading for his support tho.

JB is still playing 15 basically. We need someone to play 12. Not just play AT 12.

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