New Names in Men’s Eagles squad for July

Scott Lawrence has included eight uncapped players in his Men’s Eagles squad for the July test series. The USA will open their Nations Cup opposite Portugal in Denver on July 4, followed on successive weekends by Zimbabwe in Charlotte and Spain in Raleigh.

Former Randwick lock Nathan Den Hoedt earns selection after qualifying on residency, one of five players from the undefeated Major League Rugby champion Chicago Hounds. Runners-up California contribute loosehead prop Ma’ake Muti, back row Lance Williams, and ex-NFLer Cassh Maluia along with three previously-capped members of the Legion.

Other new names are Anthem utility back Julian Roberts, Old Glory winger John Rizzo, and Nevers outside back Perry Mayo. The latter is among five players selected who play their club rugby outside of the US. All of the domestic selections are from MLR with the exception of Saint Mary’s College star Dom Besag,

A long list of players not considered for the tests includes Toulouse prop David Ainu’u and Bristol Bears flyhalf AJ MacGinty. Another notable is Florida-born fullback Jack Walsh, who is now in line to represent the Eagles at the 2027 World Cup after making the switch from Welsh URC outfit Ospreys to French Pro D2 side Montauban during the off-season.

In a release, Lawrence says the Eagles have lined up 13 matches for this calendar year:

“Our leadership group understands that July is the first step in a 13-match journey through 2026. This squad reflects the players we believe are best positioned for this window, while others will continue their preparation through injury management, targeted development opportunities, and competitive match exposure before joining the Eagles later in the year.”

 

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Jack Iscaro (Stade Français, FR) 18 caps
Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Seattle Seawolves) 7 caps
Ma’ake Muti (California Legion) uncapped

HOOKER
Shilo Klein (Zebre Parma, IT) 6 caps
Kapeli Pifeleti (Provence, FR) 23 caps

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Tonga Kofe (California Legion) 6 caps
Alex Maughan (Anthem RC) 8 caps
Mason Pedersen (Seattle Seawolves) uncapped

SECOND ROW
Jason Damm (California Legion) 15 caps
Nathan Den Hoedt (Chicago Hounds) uncapped
Brandon Harvey (Chicago Hounds) 1 cap
Nafi Ma’afu (Montauban, FR) 2 caps

BACK ROW
Makeen Alikhan (Anthem RC) 7 caps
Benjamín Bonasso (Old Glory DC) 11 caps
Cory Daniel (Old Glory DC) 17 caps
Paddy Ryan (Seattle Seawolves) 19 caps
Lance Williams (California Legion) uncapped

SCRUMHALF
Ruben de Haas (Chicago Hounds) 44 caps
Ethan McVeigh (New England Free Jacks) 7 caps

FLYHALF
Luke Carty (Anthem RC) 25 caps
Chris Hilsenbeck (Chicago Hounds) 5 caps

MIDFIELD
Dom Besag (Saint Mary’s Gaels) 18 caps
Tavite Lopeti (Chicago Hounds) 26 caps
Cassh Maluia (California Legion) uncapped
Julian Roberts (Anthem RC) uncapped

OUTSIDE BACKS
Joe Mano (California Legion) 2 caps
Perry Mayo (Nevers, FR) uncapped
Rufus McLean (Seattle Seawolves) 6 caps
Conner Mooneyham (Anthem RC) 7 caps
John Rizzo (Old Glory DC) uncapped
Mitch Wilson (New England Free Jacks) 19 caps

 

INJURED/UNAVAILABLE/RESTED
Faka’osi Pifeleti (LH, Chicago Hounds) 1 cap
Payton Telea-Ilalio (LH, Anthem RC) 7 caps
Kaleb Geiger (HO, New England Free Jacks) 10 caps
Sean McNulty (HO, Seattle Seawolves) 6 caps
Joe Taufete’e (HO, California Legion) 36 caps
David Ainu’u (PR, Toulouse, FR) 23 caps
Rhyno Herbst (LO, Seattle Seawolves) uncapped
Sam Golla (LO/FL, Anthem RC) 8 caps
Marno Redelinghuys (LO/FL, Seattle Seawolves) 9 caps
Christian Poidevin (FL, California Legion) 6 caps
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (N8, New England Free Jacks) 16 caps
Zion Going (SH, Anthem RC) uncapped
AJ MacGinty (FH, Bristol Bears, UK) 43 caps
Mark O’Keeffe (WI, Chicago Hounds) 4 caps
Oscar Treacy (WI, California Legion) uncapped
Jack Walsh (FB/FH, Ospreys, UK) uncapped