USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin has submitted his list of 28 players to travel to Houston in preparation for the highly-anticipated match against Ireland at BBVA Compass Stadium June 8.
Twenty Eagles return from the Pacific Nations Cup match against Canada last weekend, including Adam Siddall, who earned his first cap with a starting spot and three penalty kicks.
Chris Biller and Mike Petri are recalled to the Eagles squad after recovering from injuries that kept them from traveling to Edmonton. Petri will first face Aviva Premiership’s Saracens in Bermuda with the Bermuda International Select XVs Friday, May 31. Graham Harriman and Nick Wallace will suit up alongside Petri before catching up with the Eagles in Houston.
International stars Scott LaValla, Samu Manoa, Takudzwa Ngwenya and Chris Wyles will also be available for the Eagles in Houston after finishing their respective commitments abroad.
“We’re bringing a lot more experience,” Tolkin said. “We have some of those guys who were resting or still had commitments to their teams. They bring in a lot of experience, a lot of games played and a lot of top-league competition experience to the match.”
The Eagles returned to Glendale, Colo., after the Pacific Nations Cup opener to train and will leave for Houston Saturday.
“This week has been beneficial for us,” Tolkin said. “We’ve been doing a lot of individual skills work and fitness work. It’s good having the guys together. Todd Clever’s been a good captain, keeping a fairly young, inexperienced squad together and on track. That’s been a real positive.”
Tickets for the Eagles’ match against Ireland can be purchased here. To see the full event schedule in Houston, visit the USAvIRE page.
Men’s Eagles | Houston Assembly Squad Men's Eagles Coaching Staff
Chris Biller
Todd Clever
Peter Dahl
Cameron Dolan
Brian Doyle
Zach Fenoglio
Eric Fry
Graham Harriman
Will Holder
Luke Hume
Seamus Kelly
Scott Lavalla
Toby L’Estrange
Samu Manoa
Liam Murphy
Takudzwa Ngwenya
James Paterson
Mike Petri
Shawn Pittman
John Quill
Blaine Scully
Robbie Shaw
Adam Siddall
Louis Stanfill
Andrew Suniula
Phil Thiel
Nick Wallace
Chris Wyles
Mike Tolkin - Head Coach
Tony Smeeth - Assistant Coach
Dan Payne - Assistant Coach
Dave Williams - Assistant Coach
Derek Dowling - Assistant Coach
Chris O'Brien - Kicking Coach
Paul Goulding - Video Analyst
Kristen Douhan - Physiotherapist
Mike Fox - Physiotherapist
Sarah Sall - Massage Therapist
Mark Scholl - Doctor
Tristan Lewis - Manager
Source : http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/u_s/7011366/tolkin_names_traveling_squad_for_ireland_match