The USA has won back-to-back Americas Rugby Championship titles and on Saturday will begin their march towards the three-peat. Gary Gold has named a squad with the World Cup firmly on his mind and with spots on the plane still up for grabs there is still plenty to prove for a number of candidates. With three homes games – one courteously donated by Rugby Canada – there are few obstacles in the way of a team entering the tournament in rude health.

2018 ARC

Just a year ago the Eagles became the first team to win all five matches, in doing so claiming their second consecutive title. Setting the tone was a 17-10 win over the Argentina XV in Los Angeles, and there was no further debate as they were comfortable winners in each of the last four games.

Nine players made their senior international debuts during the tournament, seven of them returning for 2019. Dylan Fawsitt has jumped into the number two hooker role while midfielder Paul Lasike and flyhalf or fullback Will Hooley are now test starters.

RECENT FORM

The Eagles enjoyed a banner year in 2018, following up on their ARC success with five more test wins before finding defeat in Dublin. Even against the world’s form team in Ireland they looked competitive in the first half. They are the highest-ranked test side in the competition at an historic high of 12th in the world, five spots above Uruguay.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

There will be fewer debutants with only four named in the squad this year. Among them is 19-year-old hooker Kapeli Pifeleti, who just a year ago was wearing an England u18 shirt. He has now opted to represent the USA where he and brother Faka’osi spent much of their youth. Pifeleti is already a physical presence who looks set to make an immediate challenge for a World Cup spot despite his young age.

Another impressive teenager is prop David Ainu’u. He made his test debut in November at the age of just 18 and has already appeared in five matches as a replacement for the senior Toulouse side. While it may be too soon for a starting role on the Eagles, he should see his playing time increased along with another loosehead prospect in Lindenwood’s Chance Wenglewski. The latter debuted against Ireland and looks ready to take another step up the ladder.

Two older players are hitting their peak just at the right time. Nick Boyer, 25, brings unique physical dimensions to the scrumhalf position, an American version of former Wales star Mike Phillips. Further out is 28-year-old Gannon Moore, a collegiate football player who spent time developing his game in New Zealand and has forced his way into first choice contention.

VERDICT

To be blunt, it’s hard to see anyone stopping the Eagles in 2019. On paper their roster is the strongest and they have the most momentum behind them by a longshot. The Argentina XV will have a shot at them in Round 2 but one they hit American soil it should be smooth sailing. Seattle fans could well be cheering for a second straight Grand Slam on March 8.

FIXTURES

DATE LOCAL ET OPPONENT VENUE Sat, Feb 2 15:00 13:00 Chile Estadio Santiago Bueras, Maipú Sat, Feb 9 17:00 15:00 Argentina XV Marabunta RC, Cipolletti Sat, Feb 23 19:10 20:10 Brazil Dell Diamond, Round Rock Sat, Mar 2 19:10 22:10 Uruguay Starfire Stadium, Seattle Fri, Mar 8 19:10 22:10 Canada Starfire Stadium, Seattle

SQUAD

FORWARDS: David Ainu’u (Toulouse, FR), Titi Lamositele (Saracens, UK), Paul Mullen (Houston SaberCats), Dino Waldren (London Scottish, UK), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood Lions), Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), James Hilterbrand (Manly Marlins, AU), Peter Malcolm (Austin Elite), Kapeli Pifeleti (San Diego Legion), Joe Taufete’e (Worcester Warriors, UK), Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York), Nick Civetta (Doncaster Knights, UK), Samu Manoa (unattached), Greg Peterson (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Malon Al-Jiboori (Glendale Raptors), Cam Dolan (New Orleans Gold), Hanco Germishuys (Glendale Raptors), John Quill (Rugby United New York), David Tameilau (Glasgow Warriors, UK)

BACKS: Nick Boyer (San Diego Legion), Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors), Ruben de Haas (Free State Cheetahs, SA), Duncan van Schalkwyk (Life Running Eagles), Will Hooley (Bedford Blues, UK), Tadhg Leader (New England Free Jacks), AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK), Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), Dylan Audsley (San Diego Legion), Marcel Brache (Western Force, AU), Bryce Campbell (London Irish, UK), Paul Lasike (Harlequins, UK), Luke Hume (Rugby United New York), Gannon Moore (Utah Warriors), Harley Wheeler (Life Running Eagles), Mike Te’o (San Diego Legion)