Warriors hooker Joe Taufete’e has been named in the United States squad for the Rugby World Cup which gets underway in Japan in two weeks’ time.
Taufete’e, who holds the record for most career tries by a front row forward in international rugby, will be playing in his second World Cup having made his international debut against South Africa in the tournament four years ago.
Taufete’e won his 23rd cap against Canada in Vancouver on Saturday – he played the first 49 minutes of the Eagles’ 20-15 win – having sat out the recent Pacific Nations Cup while he recovered at Sixways from an injury.
USA, who are coached by former Warriors Director of Rugby Gary Gold, have been drawn in Pool C along with England, France, Argentina and Tonga.
They will play England in their opener in Kobe on September 26 and then play France in Fukuoka (October 2), Argentina in Kumagaya (October 9) and Tonga in Higashiosaka (October 13).
Taufete’e is the second Warriors player to be named in a World Cup squad after wing Ed Fidow, a new recruit from French club Provence, who is in Samoa’s tournament party.
Fidow won his eighth cap in the 34-15 defeat by Australia in Samoa’s final World Cup warm-up match in Sydney on Saturday.
Taufete’e and Fidow are among 78 players from the 12 Gallagher Premiership clubs who will be involved in the World Cup.