2015 Rugby World Cup Preview: USA
By Matt Findlay
With 20 debutants named in a 31-man squad, USA coach Mike Tolkin maintained faith in the squad which lost Rugby World Cup (RWC) warm-up matches to Canada, and English Premiership side Harlequins.
However there is quite a bit of experience, RWC experience in fact, to somewhat offset the rawness of the debutants in skipper Chris Wyles, Mike Petri, Mate Moeakiola, Takudzwa Ngwenya and Louis Stanfill, all of whom return for their third tournament.
“In terms of Rugby World Cup experience, yes, this is a relatively inexperienced group,” Tolkin told USA Rugby.
“However, while the Rugby World Cup is a whole different kettle of fish, many of these players do have a fair bit of international play under their belts since 2011.”
Giving Tolkin some presence of mind is the fact Chris Baumann, Zach Fenoglio, Seamus Kelly, Olive Kilifi, Niku Kruger, Al McFarland, AJ MacGinty, John Quill, Stanfill, Shalom Suniula, and Phil Thiel all got more time in Eagles' colours during a