ENGLAND, U.K. - USA Men’s Sevens Head Coach Mike Friday has named a 16-player extended squad for two preseason tournaments in AF International Sevens (Oct 25-26) and RugbyX (Oct 29) both taking place in England.
The squad features a mix of experience from the USA Sevens Residency Program with the likes of Carlin Isles and Perry Baker named alongside Harley Wheeler, Naima Fualaau and Will Holder. Maka Unufe also makes an anticipated return to play as the Eagles Sevens look to elevate cohesion and depth for the Olympic year ahead.
All 16 players could see playing time at AF International Sevens (AFI 7s) with each team permitted to use rolling subs through the competition. A preliminary 12-player roster for RugbyX will be decided in the coming days with final selections confirmed after AFI 7s concludes.
“Both of these tournaments are a good opportunity for us to assess where we are as a group in this pre season against some very strong opposition,” said Coach Friday. “It will be important to give our younger players valuable experience against these teams while also getting the more experienced players some competitive reps for a crucial season.”
“We have no doubt both events will bring the best out of everyone starting with the continuation of a great tournament in Manchester, followed by a unique new challenge in RugbyX.”
Held for the second consecutive year at The Athlete Factory Chester’s premium facilities, AF International Sevens will feature nine national sevens teams with one invitational side. The USA are placed in Group One against France, Ireland, Jamaica and Nigeria; with Group Two featuring South Africa, England, Spain and the Ramblin Jesters (invitational). All matches will be broadcast LIVE on florugby.com.
Following Manchester, the Eagles Sevens will depart for RugbyX, a new five-on-five version of the sport which includes both men’s and women’s teams at The O2 in London.
The U.S. men are joined by pool opponents Argentina and France; as well as England, Ireland and The Barbarians in a full contact version of rugby with a slight twist. RugbyX will be played on a half-sized pitch with no lineouts, scrums, conversions or penalty kicks while standard laws still apply. Details on format as well as tickets are available at rugbyx.com. Broadcast information is still to be confirmed.
USA Men’s Sevens Extended Squad
1 - Carlin Isles
2 - Matai Leuta
3 - Danny Barrett
4 - Pat Blair
5 - Maceo Brown
6 - Maka Unufe
7 - Cody Melphy
8 - Harley Wheeler
9 - Stephen Tomasin
10 - Naima Fuala'au
11 - Perry Baker
12 - Joe Schroeder
13 - Kevon Williams
15 - Will Holder
17 - Marcus Tupuola
18- Ben Broselle
STAFF
Head Coach | Mike Friday
Assistant Coach | Phil Greening
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Jon Hood
Athletic Trainer | Brian Green
Team Manager | Scott Novack
AF International Sevens Schedule
Broadcast LIVE on florugby.com
vs Nigeria | Fri, Oct 25 - 9:20 AM ET
vs Ireland | Fri, Oct 25 - 10:40 AM ET
vs France | Fri, Oct 25 - 3 PM ET
vs Jamaica | Sat, Oct 26 - 6:20 AM ET
*Knockout stages begin at 8:40 AM ET
RugbyX Schedule
Broadcast info TBD, updates on @USARugby social media
OCT 29
vs Argentina | 10:55 AM ET
vs France | 11:40 AM ET
*Finals begin at 3 PM ET.
