Warriors hooker Joe Taufete’e has been called up to USA’s 30-man squad ahead of the Emirates Airline Summer Series and Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualifiers this June and July.
The powerful front row, who has bagged two tries in ten appearances since joining Warriors, has returned to his homeland in preparation for the internationals which begin next month.
The USA squad of 18 forwards and 12 backs will take on third-ranked Ireland and 12th-ranked Georgia before seeking qualification to the 2019 World Cup in Japan, as they take on Canada in a two-match aggregate series.
Head Coach John Mitchell said: “To be Americas 1, to have the challenge of playing against England, France, and Argentina in Pool C at the World Cup, is very important to us. It is something we value, and we know it has to be earned. We would be very proud to represent the United States of America as the Americas' top seed and be authentically competitive against these nations.”
USA Men’s Eagles squad:
Nate Augspurger (Old Blue of New York)
Chris Baumann (Austin Blacks)
Marcel Brache (Western Force)
Nate Brakeley (New York Athletic Club)
Bryce Campbell (Glendale Raptors)
Ben Cima (Rocky Gorge Rugby Football Club)
Nick Civetta (Newcastle Falcons)
Todd Clever (Austin Huns)
Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors)
Cameron Dolan (Cardiff Blues)
Andrew Durutalo (USA Sevens)
James Hilterbrand (Manly Rugby)
Madison Hughes (USA Sevens)
Luke Hume (Old Blue of New York)
Martin Iosefo (USA Sevens)
Matthew Jensen (Brigham Young University)
Tony Lamborn (Hawke's Bay Magpies)
Titi Lamositele (Saracens)
Ben Landry (Glendale Raptors)
AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks)
Will Magie (Glendale Raptors)
Peter Malcolm (Austin Huns)
Ryan Matyas (Old Blue of New York)
Anthony Purpura (Old Blue of New York)
John Quill (Glendale Raptors)
David Tameilau (RC Narbonne)
Ben Tarr (Glendale Raptors)
Joe Taufete'e (Worcester Warriors)
Mike Te'o (Belmont Shore)
Dino Waldren (Trinity College Dublin)
USA fixtures
vs Ireland (Emirates Airline Summer Series) – Saturday 10 June, Red Bull Arena, New York
vs Georgia (Emirates Airline Summer Series) – Saturday 17 June, Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University, Georgia
vs Canada (Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualifier) – Saturday 24 June 24, Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ontario
vs Canada (Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualifier) – Saturday 1 July, Torero Stadium, San Diego, California