The organization has been hampered by infighting over its mission and bad financial deals. But in the past year, the group went through an internal overhaul, replacing most of its board. Thanks in part to loans from World Rugby, the group’s finances have stabilized, freeing more money to spend on developing the amateur ranks.

“The biggest issue we have to address is mass participation and to build on that base and push them through the funnel and out the other end,” said Ross Young, chief executive of USA Rugby. “The total number of people playing rugby is increasing, but trying to retain them is a major initiative.”

Over time, Young and others hope the growth of homegrown talent benefits the Eagles’ 15-man squad much as it has aided the national men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams, which are both ranked second in the world . The men’s and women’s teams have already qualified for the Olympics next year in Tokyo.

The 15-man squad has improved, albeit more slowly in part because of the continued dominance of New Zealand, Australia and other Tier 1 nations. This year, the Eagles rose to a record 12th in the world after defeating Scotland last year, its first-ever victory over a Tier 1 nation, and knocked off Samoa, another formidable opponent.

The Eagles are 13th in the World Rugby rankings, but Gold , who led teams in England, Japan and South Africa , is focused on trying to get his team more chances to compete against elite teams and letting players develop even after setbacks. The team is also bringing in more players from the national rugby sevens squad.

Young said that he would be delighted if the Eagles “upset one of the big boys” in the group stage, but that he also would be pleased if the team simply held its own in every match. In four years, he expected the Americans to be in better position to finally break through to the knockout stage.

Young said his group was also considering bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2027 or 2031 to jump-start enthusiasm for the sport much the way soccer benefited when America hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994 .