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First pick in 2024 MLR Draft among three potential USA Eagles debutants
By Finn Morton
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.
“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 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.
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
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Go to commentsWith the gap in salary caps between the different nations this is the reality of it all. I don’t blame Saracens but it’s a shame the champions cup is a shadow of what it used to be compared to back in the ‘Heineken Cup’ days.
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