Head Coach Gary Gold has selected his match day 23 for the first of two exhibition matches for the USA Men’s Falcons as the Eagles player pool continue their extended preparation for the Rugby World Cup qualification.
A roster entirely comprised of top talent within Major League Rugby, a positive blend of international caps and USA Rugby debuts will take the pitch in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The USA Men’s Falcons first kick off against the Toyota Cheetahs on Friday, October 14 at 12:00 PM ET, LIVE on FloRugby.
Competing under the USA Falcons name as the Toyota Challenge falls outside test match rugby, a range of 30 Men’s Eagles pool players have made their way to South Africa as they look to put their hand up for selection to next month’s Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai. Season veterans and Rugby World Cup experience will take the pitch with seven up-and-comers still in search of their first USA cap. Veteran Bryce Campbell will step out as Captain of the squad for both matches in South Africa. Despite the extensive experience, the Toyota Cheetahs will bring a new dynamic to this USA side, who for the majority, have not played a top tier club side in a USA shirt before.
Competing in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, the familiarity and cohesion this Super Rugby program will present as a regular group is a proper challenge for the Falcons. A cohesion Gold is keen to replicate in lead up to Dubai, both through time together in competition and a multi-week preseason camp in Colorado. With the exhibition matches and methodical lead up to Dubai, the USA are putting themselves in the best position for qualification to France 2023.
“Our number one emphasis continues to be giving this team the best opportunity to succeed at the Final Qualification Tournament. We know assembly time and top-level competition is the best measure for proper preparation, so I’m excited to join the Toyota Challenge and get a series of games played before arriving in Dubai. We’ve had a great camp so far here in Bloemfontein, energy is high after a long travel period and the team is ready to get the most out of these next two fixtures.
We’ve got a great mix of players for these two matches, some real opportunity for our rising talent to mesh with the veteran guys and allow us to fully prepare a squad to represent the USA during next month’s all-important qualification series.”
| NAME | CLUB |
|---|---|
| 1. Jack Iscaro | Old Glory DC |
| 2. Dylan Fawsitt | Rugby New York |
| 3. Paul Mullen | Utah Warriors |
| 4. Keni Nasoqeqe | Houston SaberCats |
| 5. Nick Civetta | Rugby New York |
| 6. Viliami Helu | Rugby ATL |
| 7. Cory Daniel | Old Glory DC |
| 8. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz | Old Glory DC |
| 9. Nate Augspurger | San Diego Legion |
| 10. Luke Carty | LA Giltinis |
| 11. Christian Dyer | Houston SaberCats |
| 12. Paul Lasike | Utah Warriors |
| 13. Bryce Campbell (C) | Austin Gilgronis |
| 14. Mitch Wilson | New England Free Jacks |
| 15. Marcel Brache | Austin Gilgronis |
| 16. Kaleb Geiger | Rugby New York |
| 17. Chance Wenglewski | Rugby New York |
| 18. Angus Maclellan | Utah Warriors |
| 19. Siaosi Mahoni | Houston SaberCats |
| 20. Cam Dolan | NOLA Gold |
| 21. Duncan Van Schalkwyk | Rugby ATL |
| 22. Tavite Lopeti | Seattle Seawolves |
| 23. Chris Mattina | Austin Gilgronis |
Head Coach | Gary Gold
Assistant Coach | Mario Ledesma
Assistant Coach | Steve Brett
Assistant Coach | John Plumtree
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Calvin Morriss
Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Head Physiotherapist | Kristen Douhan
Physio | Ron Klingensmith
Sports Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz
Team Doctor | Sam Akhavan
Team Manager | Oscar Alvarez
Friday, October 14, 2022 | 12:00 PM ET
Toyota Cheetahs vs USA Men’s Falcons
Friday, October 21, 2022 | 11:00 AM ET
Airlink Pumas vs USA Men’s Falcons
