After just a six day turnaround after their victory over Hong Kong, the USA Eagles matchday 23 to take on Romania this Saturday in round-five of the Nations Cup has been set.
With physical demands high, Head Coach Scott Lawrence and staff have made squad adjustments including new energy into the pack and naming two potential debuts among the replacements.
Lock Rhyno Herbst and scrum half Spencer Huntley are both in line to earn their first senior caps in the USA Jersey from the bench.
Huntley’s inclusion highlights USA Rugby's development pathway, earning his senior team selection after a standout year on the international age-grade stage. Huntley captained the USA Men’s U20s during their campaign in Georgia earlier this summer at the World Rugby U20 Junior World Championship.
Starting in the front row, Jack Iscaro rejoins the set up from club duties, stepping in at loosehead prop while Kapeliele Pifeleti moves into the starting XV as hooker. The starting tight five is rounded out by returning locks Nathan Den Hoedt and captain Jason Damm, alongside tighthead prop Tonga Kofe.
Two changes in the backrow due to injuries, sees Paddy Ryan replacing Makeen Alikhan at openside flanker and Nafi Ma'afu stepping in at number 8 for Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, joined again by Benjamin Bonasso on the blindside.
Across the backline, continuity remains as Oscar Lennon who made his USA debut last week, and Chris Hilsenbeck link again for the halfback pairing, and Dom Besag and Tavite Lopeti in the center, while Noah Brown, Rufus McLean, and Perry Mayo once again form the back three.
Speaking on the task ahead, Scott Lawrence commented; “We're creating more opportunities in our attacking game, and our focus this week has been on respecting possession, building continuity, and turning pressure into points.”
“We welcome Spencer Huntley to the lineup, reinforcing our commitment to developing talent, building depth, and preparing the next generation of Eagles for the 2031 Home World Cup.”
“Our focus remains on performance today and building a stronger program for tomorrow.”
With four wins for four, the USA sit only alongside Georgia as the only unbeaten teams in the Nations Cup campaign, who the Eagles will meet in their final match of the series on Saturday,
November 21st in Tbilisi's Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.
USA Men’s Eagles v Romania
1 Jack Iscaro
2 Kapeliele Pifeleti
3 Tonga Kofe
4 Nathan Den Hoedt
5 Jason Damm
6 Benjamin Bonasso
7 Paddy Ryan
8 Nafitalai Ma'afu
9 Oscar Lennon
10 Chris Hilsenbeck
11 Noah Brown
12 Dom Besag
13 Tavite Lopeti
14 Rufus McLean
15 Perry Mayo
16 Kaleb Geiger
17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth
18 Charlie Abel
19 Sam Golla
20 Rhyno Herbst*Debut
21 Marno Redelinghuys
22 Spencer Huntley*
23 Tom Pittman
USA fans can watch all the action on Paramount+.
