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The USA is now getting into the very important World Cup qualification stage, and this coming Main League Rugby marketing campaign will likely be of nice curiosity to these hoping to crack the Eagles lineup. Head Coach Scott Lawrence handed check caps to 46 totally different gamers in 2024 and whereas he’ll wish to slender his focus in 2025, there are definitely some gamers who didn’t characteristic this previous yr who may – and will – come into the image.
Within the first of two articles who is perhaps within the combine, in the present day we check out the forwards. Gamers are listed beneath two classes – these chosen to Eagles longlists in 2024 – and people who missed out. Candidates are listed so as of age as of January 1, 2025.
NAME
CLUB
AGE
CAPS
picture credit score: Paris Malone / Previous Glory DC
#1 LOOSEHEAD PROP
2024 POOL
Jake Turnbull
Anthem RC
31
14
Nathan Sylvia
San Diego Legion
30
5
Jack Iscaro
Previous Glory DC
27
13
Payton Telea-Ilalio
San Diego Legion
26
1
Iscaro is the incumbent Eagles starter and has emerged as one of many premier looseheads in MLR. Telea-Ilalio was voted the perfect collegiate participant within the US in 2020 and is now exhibiting his potential. He’s a dynamic ball service however wants work on the set piece. Turnbull is a gentle operator who captains Anthem, whereas Sylvia’s means to cowl either side of the scrum makes him a helpful addition to any squad.
OTHERS
Matt Harmon
NOLA Gold
29
5
Faka’osi Pifeleti
Chicago Hounds
28
1
Kyle Ciquera
New England Free Jacks
27
–
Ma’ake Muti
Miami Sharks
27
–
Probability Wenglewski
Seattle Seawolves
27
11
Harmon is a top quality scrum operator and was unfortunate to be neglected in 2024, whereas damage ruined Pifeleti’s hopes of a recall. Each may conceivably get again within the image with a powerful 2025 marketing campaign. Wenglewski was as soon as a prime prospect however has slipped down the pecking order. Former All-American Ciquera is getting back from a severe knee damage. Muti began for the Raptors in Tremendous Rugby Americas final yr and spent a while lately enjoying in Australia. He may very well be one to look at with Miami.
picture: Saracens Rugby
#2 HOOKER
2024 POOL
Dylan Fawsitt
Chicago Hounds
34
29
Joe Taufete’e
NOLA Gold
32
36
Mike Sosene-Feagai
RFC Los Angeles
31
10
Sean McNulty
Miami Sharks
29
5
Shilo Klein
San Diego Legion
25
2
Kapeli Pifeleti
Saracens (UK)
25
19
Cyrille Cama
San Diego Legion
23
–
Hooker is a place of relative energy for the Eagles with a number of reliable choices. Klein and Pifeleti ought to be within the combine straight via to 2031. The ever-reliable Fawsitt is perhaps an choice once more in 2025, however time is undoubtedly towards him. Taufete’e has struggled with damage in recent times, whereas Sosene-Feagai has been plying his commerce in France however is now again within the home image. McNulty loved a breakthrough marketing campaign in 2024 and earned his first style of check rugby.
OTHERS
Ben Strang
RFC Los Angeles
23
–
Seth Smith
Houston SaberCats
19
–
It’s extremely unlikely anybody exterior the above group will break via at hooker in 2025, with each Strang and Smith prospects for the longer term. Liki Chan-Tung at San Diego is perhaps one to look at, however he’ll first must win recreation time forward of Klein, Cama, and Hugh Roach.
picture credit score: Alexandre Dimou / Icon Sport / Stade Toulousain
#3 TIGHTHEAD PROP
2024 POOL
Paul Mullen
NOLA Gold
33
39
Alex Maughan
Anthem RC
29
8
Kaleb Geiger
New England Free Jacks
28
2
Pono Davis
Houston SaberCats
27
5
David Ainu’u
Toulouse (FR)
25
23
In an ideal world Ainu’u could be thought-about primarily a loosehead, the place he performs most of his membership rugby, however with Titi Lamositele now tied to Samoa and Roman Salanoa but to commit he’s wanted extra on the fitting facet of the scrum. Mullen is the veteran scrummager choice, whereas Maughan has performed throughout the entrance row however is now being requested to deal with tighthead. Davis and Geiger are each comparatively new to rugby, with the previous to this point getting the sting within the scrum whereas the latter excels within the free.
OTHERS
Angus MacLellan
Utah Warriors
32
7
Mason Pedersen
Seattle Seawolves
28
–
MacLellan break up time with Mullen at Utah in recent times and is an analogous model of participant who relishes the set piece. Pedersen’s progress was derailed by a knee damage final yr. A punishing defender, he may but come again into the image if he can show his health. Takaji Younger Yen was as soon as a prime prospect however he missed all of 2024 with damage and now appears to have fallen out of MLR fully.
picture: RFC Los Angeles
#4/5 SECOND ROW
2024 POOL
Saia Uhila
Utah Warriors
37
1
Cam Dolan
NOLA Gold
34
67
Greg Peterson
San Diego Legion
33
51
Jason Damm
RFC Los Angeles
29
9
Siaosi Mahoni
Seattle Seawolves
27
9
William Waguespack
NOLA Gold
26
–
Mikey Grandy
Anthem RC
26
1
Nafi Ma’afu
Biarritz (FR)
26
–
Renger van Eeerten
Brive (FR)
25
1
Lucas Gramlick
Anthem RC
24
–
Rick Rose
Miami Sharks
23
–
The lack of incumbent skipper Peterson to retirement is a giant blow – figuratively and actually. Large males within the US have a tendency to decide on different sports activities, so it’s slim pickings in relation to discovering US-eligible locks of real worldwide dimension. Towering Dutchman van Eerten will likely be a key determine when he returns from damage, whereas the undersized Damm is having one thing of a check revival after shifting up from the again row. Dolan is getting into the tail finish of his storied profession. Mahoni is almost the dimensions of Peterson however is ceaselessly injured.
Uhila was a shock call-up in July and is unlikely to return at his age. Waguespack impressed in MLR however was neglected for a check debut in favor of Grandy, a former soccer participant who’s making the transfer to Charlotte from Colorado. Rose has the peak however lacks expertise at this stage. Ma’afu has solely missed out on an Eagles cap due to damage. He’s a sure addition sooner or later… nevertheless it may not be at lock. Gramlick has the largest body of the lot however hasn’t returned to Anthem this season.
OTHERS
Isaia Lotawa
Seattle Seawolves
24
–
Brandon Harvey
San Diego Legion
22
–
Mikaea Wynyard
RFC Los Angeles
21
–
Some new blood could be most welcome at lock, even when solely to get a while coaching with the squad. Lotawa, Harvey, and Wynyard are all massive males who will likely be carefully monitored. Harvey has already began a postseason recreation for San Diego and is tipped for larger honors. Lotawa lately hung out in Wales, whereas Wynyard is getting back from a two-year stint in France with La Rochelle’s academy facet. Northampton Saints lock Chunya Munga could be an computerized choice however is but to make himself out there.
picture: USA Rugby
#6/7/8 BACK ROW
2024 POOL
Luke White
Chicago Hounds
33
5
Thomas Tu’avao
31
10
Moni Tonga’uiha
NOLA Gold
30
9
Cory Daniel
Previous Glory DC
29
10
Vili Helu
San Diego Legion
28
14
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz
Previous Glory DC
28
14
Ben Bonasso
Miami Sharks
27
7
Devin Quick
Seattle Seawolves
26
–
Paddy Ryan
San Diego Legion
26
14
Tomás Casares
Miami Sharks
25
3
Sam Golla
Anthem RC
25
7
Collin Grosse
Previous Glory DC
25
–
Bailey Wilson
Utah Warriors
24
1
Makeen Alikhan
Anthem RC
23
–
Helu, Daniel, and Ryan have been the beginning trio in November however that choice shouldn’t be written in stone. Fa’anana-Schultz would absolutely have been the No8 had he been match to tour. Bonasso is a contender at blindside or No8, whereas Golla may play lock or No6. Ex-Harlequins academy flanker Alikhan regarded on monitor to debut earlier than damage ended his yr early. Tu’avao was within the Pacific Nations Cup squad however dropped out of the tour and is now seemingly and not using a membership.
White is one thing of a late bloomer however is now going through a problem for the No8 shirt in Chicago, whereas Tonga’uiha has all the time been on the fringes of the squad. Quick was excellent for Seattle when he lastly arrived and is a reliable challenger at No7. Casares was a shock call-up in November who can cowl lock, blindside, or No8. Wilson and his Utah facet had a forgettable 2024 however he’s nonetheless on the younger facet of the contenders. Grosse is a specialist blindside with an enormous engine however may use one other inch or two in peak. Nafi Ma’afu, listed above among the many locks, has lately impressed as a ball-carrying No8 for Biarritz and will but discover himself behind an Eagles scrum.
OTHERS
Joe Johnston
New England Free Jacks
26
–
Ronan Murphy
Houston SaberCats
26
–
Christian Poidevin
San Diego Legion
26
–
Emmanuel Albert
Houston SaberCats
25
–
Alby O’Shannessey
Anthem RC
25
–
Murphy was one of many in-form free forwards in MLR this previous yr and is probably simplest at No8. He has a excessive workrate and all-round means however isn’t a large and is perhaps a bit quick on brute energy. Albert has the dimensions and athleticism to make an impression as a blindside flanker and one feels he’ll transfer up the ladder quickly. If NPC standout Johnston makes himself out there he may nicely get the nod at openside, whereas Poidevin would even be of curiosity. O’Shannessey is simply now changing into eligible and the New Zealander will likely be one to look at with Anthem.
2025 OUTLOOK
Prop and second row are a bit regarding when it comes to depth, and would profit from the likes of Salanoa and Munga. Because it stands there’s ample expertise to carry the scrum… although fingers will likely be firmly crossed that there are not any vital accidents to key males like Iscaro, Ainu’u, and van Eerten. There’s stiff competitors for spots within the again row and Ma’afu is a European professional who may make an actual impression both at lock or at No8. Regardless of the famous issues it’s a greater image now than there was within the final qualification cycle, with actual alternatives for a bolter or two to emerge in MLR.
The publish USA Males’s 2025 Participant Pool Outlook – Forwards appeared first on Americas Rugby Information.
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Author : rugby365
Publish date : 2025-01-23 12:45:49
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