FUKUOKA, JPN. – Head Coach Gary Gold has named his side for the USA Men’s National Team XV’s next clash of Rugby World Cup 2019 against France Weds, Oct 2 (KO 3:45 AM ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold).

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MATCH-DAY 23

Following injuries to David Ainu’u, Will Hooley and Paul Lasike, as well as a red card to John Quill, the named squad will feature eight total changes from last week’s battle with England.

Forwards will see Eric Fry jump in at prop in what will be his third Rugby World Cup with Nate Brakeley in at lock and Hanco Germishuys starting at flanker.

The backs will see Bryce Campbell start at center and Mike Te’o start at fullback. Both Te’o and Campbell came off the bench with much-needed energy last week against England with Campbell scoring a try in the final minutes.

Ben Pinkelman, Thretton Palamo and Will Magie could see their first taste of World Cup action as all three are named to the reserves. Like Fry, Palamo would also be playing in this third Rugby World Cup tournament.

With David Ainu’u having flown home to continue his recovery, Chance Wenglewski has joined the team in Japan. Will Hooley and Paul Lasike continue to progress daily with medical personnel hoping for both to be available for the final two matches of pool play.

STARTERS

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS TO DATE 1. Eric Fry Prop Vannes 45 2. Joe Taufete’e Hooker Worcester Warriors 24 3. Titi Lamositele Prop Saracens 29 4. Nate Brakeley Lock Rugby United New York 21 5. Nick Civetta Lock Unattached 24 6. Tony Lamborn Flanker Melbourne Rebels

Hawke’s Bay Magpies 20 7. Hanco Germishuys Flanker Glendale Raptors 18 8. Cam Dolan No. 8 NOLA Gold 48 9. Shaun Davies Scrum half Glendale Raptors 26 10. AJ MacGinty Flyhalf Sale Sharks 25 11. Martin Iosefo Wing USA Sevens 7 12. Bryce Campbell Center London Irish 29 13. Marcel Brache Center Western Force 20 14. Blaine Scully (C) Wing Unattached 51 15. Mike Te’o Fullback San Diego Legion 25

RESERVES

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS TO DATE 16. Dylan Fawsitt Reserve Rugby United New York 13 17. Olive Kilifi Reserve Seattle Seawolves 28 18. Paul Mullen Reserve Unattached 15 19. Greg Peterson Reserve Newcastle Falcons 27 20. Ben Pinkelman Reserve USA Sevens 2 21. Ruben de Haas Reserve Free State Cheetahs 14 22. Will Magie Reserve Unattached 25 23. Thretton Palamo Reserve Houston SaberCats 18

STAFF

General Manager | Dave Hodges

Head Coach | Gary Gold

Assistant Coach, Attack | Greg McWilliams

Assistant Coach, Set Piece | Shawn Pittman

Assistant Coach, Defense | Jaque Fourie

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan

Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison

Assistant S&C and Analyst | Tom Kindley

Team Doctor | Mark Sakr

Team Doctor | Sam Akhavan

Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng

Athletic Trainer | Kristen Douhan

Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz

Team Manager | Chris Hanson

Assistant Team Manager | Oscar Alvarez

LAST MATCH | ENG 45-7 USA

In their opening match of Rugby World Cup 2019, the United States faced England for the first time in roughly 12 years. The Red Roses were sharp to say the least, dominating field position, set piece play and possession to come away with their second bonus point victory of Japan.

The first 20 minutes of action were close, plagued by an injury to U.S. prop David Ainu’u who came off the field within the first two minutes. U.S. penalties, a powerful English maul and missed tackles allowed the Red Roses to build 19-0 lead at halftime, though the scoreline was still within grasp coming out of the break.

Where the first half was challenging, the second half became detrimental. The United States were stuck in their own half for far too long as England remained quick off the line and dangerously precise with ball in hand. A red card to U.S. flanker John Quill with injuries to fullback Will Hooley and center Paul Lasike put an unfortunate spin on an already disappointing performance for the USA.

With a minute to go and England up by 45 points, Ruben de Haas broke the gain line and Bryce Campbell dove over the tryline to signal the never-ending fight by the Americans at full time.

FULL MATCH RECAP | WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

THE MATCHUP | USA VS FRANCE

History will always follow any matchups between the Men’s Eagles and the French as it was nearly a century ago when the U.S. side defeated France to win gold in the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games.

Since both first met in 1920, France have sat on the better side of a 2-6 overall record with the USA men falling 31-39 in their most recent meeting in Connecticut 15 years ago (2004). France comes into Wednesday’s matchup as No. 7 in the World Rankings with the U.S. holding steady at No. 13.

After a narrow 23-21 victory over Argentina, France sit third in Pool C with 4 points and will enter Wednesday’s matchup having had 11 days of rest. The United States comes off of a short week where only six days will separate their previous matchup with England.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH GARY GOLD

“It’s been a tough week and more than anything we’re ready to get back out there and prove that we’re a much better rugby team than we showed against England. Based on the standards we set for ourselves, we’re disappointed in our performance as we know we have much more to offer.

“The injuries we’ve picked up present their own challenge, no doubt. But this is a team built with much more than 23 players and we have faith in the ability of the guys selected to step up and do their jobs.

“France is another very good rugby team whom we know will bring an incredibly physical challenge. We have the utmost respect for them as we do all the teams in our pool and we realize that if we don’t remain sharp or disciplined in every aspect of this game, the French will punish us in the same way. It’ll be a very competitive challenge but one that we welcome with open arms.”

RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL C UPDATE

Following their victory over the United States, England sit atop the Pool C standings with 10 points from two bonus point wins.

Argentina come in second at six points, after a narrow loss to France where they still collected a bonus point, as well as a victory over Tonga days ago. The French are third with four points with the U.S. and Tonga still seeking their first points in the table.

TEAM PL W D L TF PF PA BP BP POINTS ENGLAND 2 2 0 0 11 80 10 70 2 10 ARGENTINA 2 1 0 1 6 49 35 14 2 6 FRANCE 1 1 0 0 2 23 21 2 0 4 USA 1 0 0 1 1 7 45 -38 0 0 TONGA 2 0 0 2 2 15 63 -48 0 0

PHOTO CREDIT | MIKE LEE