OKINAWA, JPN. – The USA Men’s National Team XVs have named their match-day 23 to face England in the opening round of Rugby World Cup 2019 against England. Kick off is set for 6:45 AM ET (7:45 PM Local) at Kobe Misaki Stadium with the match broadcast LIVE on NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports Gold.

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MATCH-DAY 23

Fourteen players will make their Rugby World Cup debut against England on Thursday including Toulouse’s David Ainu’u who stands as the youngest player in the group at 19.

Led by Captain Blaine Scully in his third World Cup, the strong U.S. side features a total of 519 cumulative test caps with a number of notable players to feature in the starting XV.

Among them is hooker Joe Taufete’e, the highest scoring hooker in international rugby; as well as No. 8 Cam Dolan who moves closer to his 50th test cap and flyhalf Aj MacGinty who serves as the leader in points within the current squad.

STARTERS

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS 1. David Ainuu Prop Toulouse 8 2. Joe Taufete’e Hooker Worcester Warriors 23 3. Titi Lamositele Prop Saracens 28 4. Ben Landry Lock Ealing Trailfinders 22 5. Nick Civetta Lock Unattached 23 6. Tony Lamborn Flanker Melbourne Rebels (AUS)

Hawke’s Bay Magpies (NZL) 19 7. John Quill Flanker Rugby United New York 36 8. Cam Dolan No, 8 NOLA Gold 47 9. Shaun Davies Scrumhalf Glendale Raptors 25 10. Aj MacGinty Flyhalf Sale Sharks 24 11. Martin Iosefo Wing USA Sevens 6 12. Paul Lasike Center Harlequins 16 13. Marcel Brache Center Western Force 19 14. Blaine Scully (C) Wing Unattached 50 15. Will Hooley Fullback Bedford Blues 12

RESERVES

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS 16. Dylan Fawsitt Reserve Rugby United New York 12 17. Olive Kilifi Reserve Seattle Seawolves 27 18. Paul Mullen Reserve Unattached 14 19. Greg Peterson Reserve Newcastle Falcons 26 20. Hanco Germishuys Reserve Glendale Raptors 17 21. Ruben de Haas Reserve Free State Cheetahs 13 22. Bryce Campbell Reserve London Irish 28 23. Mike Te’o Reserve San Diego Legion 24

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 AGAINST CANADA

Last time on the pitch, the USA Men’s Eagles made it three for three in matches with rivals Canada this year.

The Canadians emerged much improved from their matchup in Colorado during the Pacific Nations Cup, sporting an impressive kicking game that allowed them to remain on top of the scoreline for a significant chunk of the game.

Where the USA’s Dylan Fawsitt came off the bench to tie it up at 15 all, the final ten minutes of the game proved to be an all out arm wrestle.

Martin Iosefo ultimately emerged the hero, scoring in the 72nd minute to claim the 20-15 lead. From there and in the final minute, Canada had made it within five meters of the goal line where the U.S. defense contributed a massive shift to keep their rivals out of the try zone.

FULL MATCH RECAP | WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

THE MATCHUP | USA VS ENGLAND

The No. 13 United States and England last met nearly 12 years ago at Rugby World Cup 2007 in France where the Red Roses walked away with a 10-28 victory in pool play. It was the closest margin of points the U.S. has ever achieved over their English counterparts.

England will enter the match on a short-week, having beaten Tonga last night 35-3 after a close opening 20 minutes. The Eagles have spent the past week in Okinawa focused on preparation away from the hustle and bustle of the main Rugby World Cup match cities.

Much has changed for American rugby since the last time the USA and England have faced one another. From the launch of Major League Rugby to competitions like the Americas Rugby Championship, players have benefited from more competitive playing opportunities in domestic and international circles.

One thing is certain on Thursday, two respected foes will go head to head in what will be an anticipated matchup in Kobe City.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH GARY GOLD

“We’ve had a very good week in Okinawa where the facilities and hospitality have been exactly what we needed to focus on ourselves before this first game.

“We have massive respect for England as they are a very well-coached and talented rugby team. These are exactly the kind of competitive test matches we want to play to continuously test ourselves and grow as a rugby nation.

“Our guys have worked tirelessly over the past several months. We are really excited to get out on the field and show what we can do, not only for the incredibly supportive rugby fans in Japan but also for our community back home in the USA.”

RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL C UPDATE

England and France currently sit atop the Pool C standings with their respective victories in the first round. France came away with a 23-21 victory in an incredibly tight contest after Argentina’s Emiliano Boffelli missed a match-winning penalty kick in the final minute. England were strapped against Tonga in the first 20 minutes but ultimately overcame the Pacific Islanders win with a bonus point.

TEAM W D L TF PF PA PD BP POINTS ENGLAND 1 0 0 4 35 3 32 1 5 FRANCE 1 0 0 2 23 21 2 0 4 USA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ARGENTINA 0 0 1 2 21 23 -2 1 1 TONGA 0 0 1 0 3 35 -32 0 0

WHERE TO WATCH

All USA matches in pool play are broadcast LIVE on NBCSN linear television network along with a collection of other games including the Rugby World Cup final. In addition to coverage on NBCSN, fans can also stream every game LIVE and on-demand with NBC Sports Gold’s rugby pass. To purchase rugby pass, click here. To find NBCSN in local listings, click here.