USA Men's Eagles Confirm Extended Player Squad for 2024 with First Test Match Approaching in Chicago
May 3, 2024 - Major League Rugby (MLR) News Release
GLENDALE, CO - Head Coach Scott Lawrence and staff have named 55 players to the Extended Player Squad (EPS) for 2024, identifying a dynamic pool of qualified and available players for the two confirmed tours scheduled this year. Captain AJ MacGinty headlines the roster, with 15 prospects targeting their USA Eagles debut. The Men's Eagles international season will kick off in July with a two-match tour as part of the American Series before breaking for the Major League Rugby playoffs, reassembling in August for the Pacific Nations Cup.
Two collegiate standouts make the cut, with Dominic Besag and Erich Storti of Saint Mary's College looking to join the traveling roster this summer. Besag debuted in 2023 and both players will step onto the pitch in Houston this weekend for the D1A National Championship.
Lucas Gramlick, Jake Turnbull and Conor McManus also make the list, representing Major League Rugby's newest outfit, Anthem Rugby Carolina. Anthem is halfway through its inaugural year, a development program in partnership between MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby. More young talent on the radar is Stefan Crimp, the Cardiff MET fullback who last pulled on a USA shirt with the Men's U20s for the 2023 World Rugby Trophy qualifier.
Head Coach Scott Lawrence said on the player selections, "The EPS is a point in time selection of men that we see as being capable of competing for a place in the test team now, and a number of players that we will introduce to the path of becoming an Eagle. The staff looks at many factors in selecting the EPS. Meaningful minutes, physical capability, the desire and game sense to do the density of work required for the next level, their professional habits and the energy they impose on the game when they are playing a role in the selection process."
Lawrence will select a traveling squad for the first assembly of 2024 in Chicago, ahead of their fixture against Romania at SeatGeek Stadium on July 5, followed by a premier clash with Scotland in Washington DC on July 12. Tickets to each match are available now.
Prior to the American Series tour, team staff and players from the leadership group will gather for an alignment camp in June, an annual meeting for the program to connect and reinforce the program's goals for the upcoming international season.
Lawrence noted on the team's connectivity, "The team has remained connected through monthly zooms, coach one-on-ones, and game day visits domestically. Ultimately, starting minutes with their respective clubs gets them closest to a place where we can help them close the gap to test rugby through the Pacific Nations Cup and a November tour. Our goal has been to enable players to perform their best by being trusted resources until we can come together and plug in to the energy that can only come from an international environment."
NAME CLUB TEST CAPS
AJ MacGinty Bristol Bears (ENG) 35
Alex Maughan RFCLA 3
Bailey Wilson Utah Warriors 1
Ben Bonasso Miami Sharks 5
Bryce Campbell Chicago Hounds 45
Cam Dolan NOLA Gold 67
Chris Mattina (IR) San Diego Legion 5
Chris Hilsenbeck Biarritz (FRA) Yet to debut
Christian Dyer Houston SaberCats 14
Collin Grosse Old Glory DC Yet to debut
Conner Mooneyham Seattle Seawolves Yet to debut
Conor McManus Anthem RC Yet to debut
Cory Daniel Old Glory DC 3
David Ainu'u Toulouse (FRA) 22
Dominic Besag Saint Mary's College 1
Dylan Fawsitt Chicago Hounds 27
Erich Storti Saint Mary's College Yet to debut
Ethan McVeigh Old Glory DC Yet to debut
Greg Peterson San Diego Legion 42
Jack Iscaro Old Glory DC 6
Jake Turnbull Anthem RC 5
Jamason Fa'anana-Schultz Old Glory DC 9
Jason Damm RFCLA 1
Joe Taufete'e Seattle Seawolves 37
Joseph Mano Utah Warriors 2
JP Smith Seattle Seawolves Yet to debut
Kaleb Geiger New England Free Jacks 3
Kapeli Pifeleti Saracens (ENG) 10
Lauina Futi Seattle Seawolves 3
Lucas Gramlick Anthem RC Yet to debut
Luke White Chicago Hounds 5
Luke Carty Chicago Hounds 16
Makeen Alikhan Dallas Jackals Yet to debut
Mika Kruse Utah Warriors 7
Mikey Sosene-Feagai Agen (FRA) 9
Mitch Wilson New England Free Jacks 6
Nafi Ma'afu Perpignan (FRA) Yet to debut
Nate Augspurger Chicago Hounds 41
Nathan Sylvia San Diego Legion 3
Paddy Ryan San Diego Legion 5
Paul Mullen Utah Warriors 34
Paul Lasike Utah Warriors 22
Pono Davis Houston SaberCats Yet to debut
Renger Van Eerten CA Brive Rugby (FRA) Yet to debut
Ruben de Haas Cheetahs (RSA) 31
Sam Golla Dallas Jackals 5
Sean McNulty Miami Sharks Yet to debut
Siaosi Mahoni (IR) Houston SaberCats 11
Stefan Crimp Cardiff Met. (WAL) Yet to debut
Tavite Lopeti Seattle Seawolves 12
Tesimoni Tonga'uiha NOLA Gold 6
Thomas Tu'avao Utah Warriors 5
Toby Fricker Ospreys (ENG) Yet to debut
Tommaso Boni Old Glory DC 4
Viliami Helu San Diego Legion 5
*IR - Injured Reserve
2024 USA Men's Eagles Schedule
USA vs Romania | July 5, 2024
Chicago, IL | SeatGeek Stadium
GET TICKETS »
Watch LIVE on FloRugby
USA vs Scotland | July 12, 2024
Washington, DC | Audi Field
GET TICKETS »
Watch LIVE on FloRugby
USA vs Canada | August 31, 2024 | Pacific Nations Cup
Los Angeles, CA | Dignity Health Sports Park
GET TICKETS »
Watch LIVE on Peacock
USA vs Japan | September 7, 2024
Kumagaya, JPN | Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Watch LIVE on Peacock
Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Finals begin Saturday, September 14
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Major League Rugby Stories from May 3, 2024
- USA Men's Eagles Confirm Extended Player Squad for 2024 with First Test Match Approaching in Chicago - MLR
- Utah to Host SaberCats in May 4 Matchup - Utah Warriors
- Hounds Travel to New England for Pivotal Matchup: Week 10 Preview - Chicago Hounds
- Mindset Is Key - Miami's Nick Grigg Ahead of DC Challenge - Miami Sharks
- Alex Maughan and Jason Damm Selected in USA Extended Squad - Rugby FC Los Angeles
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