The long awaited line-up for the 2007 Rugby World Cup has finally been announced by USA coach Peter Thorburn.
The 30-man squad features fly half Mike Hercus and second row Luke Gross among the seven team mates who played for the Eagles in the last tournament.
Centre Phillip Eloff, wings Paul Emerick and Salesi Sika, second row Alec Parker – who is making his third World Cup appearance along with team mate Gross, and prop Mike MacDonald are all set to play in what is hoped will be the best tournament to date.
There will be some familiar faces too as many of the squad who played in this year’s IRB North America 4 and Barclays Churchill Cup will reunite for the international sporting event including Nese Malifa who makes a return after his NA4 debut.
“We will play two really tough international sides and two very good, physical sides at this World Cup,” Thorburn announced. “We will remain the underdogs going into it, which I think is a good thing.
“But if we show the expected improvements, and we shall, then our performances will be our judgment. Performances at the top end of our potential will give positive results that are essential for the sport’s movement forward in America.”
The Eagles, who are in Pool A with defending champions England, 1995 winners South Africa, Samoa and Tonga, will play their opening match against England in Lens on September 8.
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