The USA Men’s Eagles having arrived in Batumi today, set for week two match up against host Georgia on their Autumn Internationals tour.
Eager to bounce back from last week’s result against Scotland, the USA have spent a focused week in Georgia realigning and preparing for another formidable opponent. USA vs Georgia kicks off Saturday, November 8 at 7:00am ET live on Paramount+
Lawrence has made a few position changes and selected two potential international debuts to the reserves for this match. Marno Redelinghuys shifts from Lock to Flanker while Paddy Ryan will also shift to Flanker and see Makeen Alikhan back in the starting No. 8 position. Mark O’Keefe gets the starting nod at wing, his first appearance this year while Mikey Sosene-Feagai and Michael Baska also earn their return to Eagles rugby as reserves. Tonga Kofe also rejoins the squad. Squad updates: Props David Ainu’u and Jack Iscaro will not join for the Autumn Tour, as Ainu’u suffered an injury last week in club play and Iscaro will continue to compete and earn minutes with Stade Français.
Two up and coming prospects are also rostered with the potential for debut, backrowers, Brandon Harvey and Nafi Mu’afu. Harvey toured with the Eagles over the summer for the July tour, gaining in sight and momentum towards his first match day selection. Mu’afu has long been an anticipated prospect, joining the Eagles camp from French club Montauban.
The USA last faced Georgia from Tbilisi in 2023, falling in a close contest where six of the rostered players will return this Saturday. This weekend’s fixture is the first for Georgia on their fall test match schedule, presenting an opportunity for the Eagles to front up against their forward-driven physical play and come away with a notable win on the road. As with Scotland, match two in Georgia is Rugby World Cup caliber competition that the Eagles are eager to face as the program takes shape for Australia 2027.
USA vs Georgia kicks off Saturday, November 8 at 7:00am ET live on Paramount+
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth | Unattached |
| 2. Kaleb Geiger | New England Free Jacks |
| 3. Pono Davis | Unattached |
| 4. Tevita Naqali | Old Glory DC |
| 5. Jason Damm | CA Legion |
| 6. Marno Redelinghuys | Unattached |
| 7. Paddy Ryan | Unattached |
| 8. Makeen Alikhan | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 9. Ruben de Haas | Unattached |
| 10. Luke Carty | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 11. Rufus McLean | Unattached |
| 12. Tavite Lopeti | Chicago Hounds |
| 13. Dominic Besag | Saint Mary's College |
| 14. Mark O'Keefe | Chicago Hounds |
| 15. Toby Fricker | Bristol Bears |
| 16. Mikey Sosene-Feagai | CA Legion |
| 17. Payton Telea-Ilalio | CA Legion |
| 18. Tonga Kofe | Leicester Tigers |
| 19. Brandon Harvey | Unattached |
| 20. Nafi Ma'afu | Mountauban (FRA) |
| 21. Viliami Helu | Unattached |
| 22. Christian Poidevin | CA Legion |
| 23. Michael Baska | Chicago Hounds |
Scott Lawrence | Head Coach + GM
Nick Easter | Assistant Coach - Defense
Steve Brett | Assistant Coach - Attack & Skills
Agustin Cavalieri | Assistant Coach - Forwards
Blake Bradford | Assistant Coach - Scrum
Jimmy Harrison | Analyst
Declan Oorloff | Analyst
Rodolfo Broggi | Athletic Performance Coach
Matoko Noudehou | Strength and Conditioning
Michael Sheridan | Lead Athletic Trainer
Delaney Cassidy | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Willie Berlanga | Massage Therapist
Matthew Schmitz | Team Doctor (Scotland & Georgia)
Marc Kowalsky | Team Doctor (Romania)
Nick Colling | Team Manager
Scotland vs USA | (L) 85-0
Nov 1 | Scottish Gas Murrayfield | Edinburgh, SCO
Georgia vs USA | Nov 8, 7:00am ET
Adjarabet Arena | Batumi, GEO
Watch LIVE on Paramount+
Romania vs USA | Nov 15, 10:00am ET
Arcul du Triumf | Bucharest, ROM
Watch LIVE on Paramount+
