TBLISI, Georgia – Men’s Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin has selected the starting roster for his side’s match against Georgia at Rustavi Stadium Saturday, Nov. 16.
Todd Clever will captain the team once again from the blindside flanker position, as he did in the Eagles’ 29-19 loss to the New Zealand Maori All Blacks at PPL Park in Philadelphia, Penn. Man of the Match Cameron Dolan will wear the number eight jersey in Tblisi.
Professionals Samu Manoa, Blaine Scully and Chris Wyles, who each missed last week’s sold-out match, get starting spots at lock, wing and fullback, respectively. Scully replaces Luke Hume on the wing and will partner Tim Maupin, who will earn his first international cap for the Eagles.
Eric Fry also rejoins the team and will start the match on the bench. Tolkin has opted for the same three players in the front row from the Maori All Blacks match: Nick Wallace, Phillip Thiel and Shawn Pittman. Graham Harriman, who was selected to start last week’s match on game day due to Scott LaValla’s injury, will partner Manoa at lock.
Adam Siddall, who scored 14 points from four penalty goals and one conversion last weekend, will move to flyhalf in support of Mike Petri. Men’s Eagles Sevens resident Folau Niua will earn his first starting cap alongside Andrew Suniula at center.
Hume and Seamus Kelly, starters in the hard-fought loss against the All Blacks, will be available on the bench. Toby L’Estrange picked up an injury Saturday and did not travel with the team to Europe. LaValla is unavailable for the match against Georgia but will remain with the team for the match against Russia at Allianz Park in London Saturday, Nov. 23.
Receive live updates from Rustavi Stadium Saturday by following @USARugby on Twitter. The match will be streamed online by the International Rugby Board at 5:00 A.M. ET.
Men's Eagles | v. Georgia
1. Nick Wallace
2. Phil Thiel
3. Shawn Pittman
4. Graham Harriman
5. Samu Manoa
6. Todd Clever(C)
7. Derek Asbun
8. Cameron Dolan
9. Mike Petri
10. Adam Siddal
11. Tim Maupin
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Folau Niua
14. Blaine Scully
15. Chris Wyles
Men's Eagles | Reserves
16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Olive Kilifi
18. Eric Fry
19. Inaki Basauri
20. John Quill
21. Shaun Davies
22. Seamus Kelly
23. Luke Hume
