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USA Men’s Eagles confirm Extended Player Squad for 2024 with first test match approaching in Chicago
GLENDALE, CO (May 2, 2024) – Head Coach Scott Lawrence and staff have named 55 players to the Extended Player Squad (EPS) for 2024, identifying a dynamic pool of qualified and available players for the two confirmed tours scheduled this year. Captain AJ MacGinty headlines the roster, with 15 prospects targeting their USA Eagles debut. The Men’s Eagles international season will kick off in July with a two-match tour as part of the American Series before breaking for the Major League Rugby playoffs, reassembling in August for the Pacific Nations Cup.
Two collegiate standouts make the cut, with Dominic Besag and Erich Storti of Saint Mary’s College looking to join the traveling roster this summer. Besag debuted in 2023 and both players will step onto the pitch in Houston this weekend for the D1A National Championship.
Lucas Gramlick, Jake Turnbull and Conor McManus also make the list, representing Major League Rugby’s newest outfit, Anthem Rugby Carolina. Anthem is halfway through its inaugural year, a development program in partnership between MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby. More young talent on the radar is Stefan Crimp, the Cardiff MET fullback who last pulled on a USA shirt with the Men’s U20s for the 2023 World Rugby Trophy qualifier.
Head Coach Scott Lawrence said on the player selections, “The EPS is a point in time selection of men that we see as being capable of competing for a place in the test team now, and a number of players that we will introduce to the path of becoming an Eagle. The staff looks at many factors in selecting the EPS. Meaningful minutes, physical capability, the desire and game sense to do the density of work required for the next level, their professional habits and the energy they impose on the game when they are playing a role in the selection process.”
Lawrence will select a traveling squad for the first assembly of 2024 in Chicago, ahead of their fixture against Romania at SeatGeek Stadium on July 5, followed by a premier clash with Scotland in Washington DC on July 12. Tickets to each match are available now.
Prior to the American Series tour, team staff and players from the leadership group will gather for an alignment camp in June, an annual meeting for the program to connect and reinforce the program’s goals for the upcoming international season.
Lawrence noted on the team’s connectivity, “The team has remained connected through monthly zooms, coach one-on-ones, and game day visits domestically. Ultimately, starting minutes with their respective clubs gets them closest to a place where we can help them close the gap to test rugby through the Pacific Nations Cup and a November tour. Our goal has been to enable players to perform their best by being trusted resources until we can come together and plug in to the energy that can only come from an international environment.”
2024 USA Men’s Eagles Extended Player Squad
NAME
CLUB
TEST CAPS
AJ MacGinty
Bristol Bears (ENG)
35
Alex Maughan
RFCLA
3
Bailey Wilson
Utah Warriors
1
Ben Bonasso
Miami Sharks
5
Bryce Campbell
Chicago Hounds
45
Cam Dolan
NOLA Gold
67
Chris Mattina (IR)
San Diego Legion
5
Chris Hilsenbeck
Biarritz (FRA)
Yet to debut
Christian Dyer
Houston SaberCats
14
Collin Grosse
Old Glory DC
Yet to debut
Conner Mooneyham
Seattle Seawolves
Yet to debut
Conor McManus
Anthem RC
Yet to debut
Cory Daniel
Old Glory DC
3
David Ainu’u
Toulouse (FRA)
22
Dominic Besag
Saint Mary’s College
1
Dylan Fawsitt
Chicago Hounds
27
Erich Storti
Saint Mary’s College
Yet to debut
Ethan McVeigh
Old Glory DC
Yet to debut
Greg Peterson
San Diego Legion
42
Jack Iscaro
Old Glory DC
6
Jake Turnbull
Anthem RC
5
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz
Old Glory DC
9
Jason Damm
RFCLA
1
Joe Taufete’e
Seattle Seawolves
37
Joseph Mano
Utah Warriors
2
JP Smith
Seattle Seawolves
Yet to debut
Kaleb Geiger
New England Free Jacks
3
Kapeli Pifeleti
Saracens (ENG)
10
Lauina Futi
Seattle Seawolves
3
Lucas Gramlick
Anthem RC
Yet to debut
Luke White
Chicago Hounds
5
Luke Carty
Chicago Hounds
16
Makeen Alikhan
Dallas Jackals
Yet to debut
Mika Kruse
Utah Warriors
7
Mikey Sosene-Feagai
Agen (FRA)
9
Mitch Wilson
New England Free Jacks
6
Nafi Ma’afu
Perpignan (FRA)
Yet to debut
Nate Augspurger
Chicago Hounds
41
Nathan Sylvia
San Diego Legion
3
Paddy Ryan
San Diego Legion
5
Paul Mullen
Utah Warriors
34
Paul Lasike
Utah Warriors
22
Pono Davis
Houston SaberCats
Yet to debut
Renger Van Eerten
CA Brive Rugby (FRA)
Yet to debut
Ruben de Haas
Cheetahs (RSA)
31
Sam Golla
Dallas Jackals
5
Sean McNulty
Miami Sharks
Yet to debut
Siaosi Mahoni (IR)
Houston SaberCats
11
Stefan Crimp
Cardiff Met. (WAL)
Yet to debut
Tavite Lopeti
Seattle Seawolves
12
Tesimoni Tonga’uiha
NOLA Gold
6
Thomas Tu’avao
Utah Warriors
5
Toby Fricker
Ospreys (ENG)
Yet to debut
Tommaso Boni
Old Glory DC
4
Viliami Helu
San Diego Legion
5
*IR – Injured Reserve
2024 USA Men’s Eagles Schedule
USA vs Romania | July 5, 2024
Chicago, IL | SeatGeek Stadium
GET TICKETS »
Watch LIVE on FloRugby
USA vs Scotland | July 12, 2024
Washington, DC | Audi Field
GET TICKETS »
Watch LIVE on FloRugby
USA vs Canada | August 31, 2024 | Pacific Nations Cup
Los Angeles, CA | Dignity Health Sports Park
GET TICKETS »
Watch LIVE on Peacock
USA vs Japan | September 7, 2024
Kumagaya, JPN | Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Watch LIVE on Peacock
Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Finals begin Saturday, September 14
The post USA Men’s Eagles confirm Extended Player Squad for 2024 with first test match approaching in Chicago appeared first on Major League Rugby.
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