USA Rugby released their roster Thursday afternoon for the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship. Looking to bring home a third consecutive ARC title, coach Gary Gold selected a full 35-man camp roster. Gold has a reputation for consistency and the starting 15 will likely be familiar faces. As we head toward the 2019 Rugby World Cup, that will be increasingly important.

Though that isn’t to say there are no surprises. Three uncapped players, including fly half Tadgh Leader of the New England Freejacks, have been called to duty. And, unluckily, a series of injuries is keeping out notable Eagles like Blaine Scully and Nate Augspurger.

Still, the USA will be favorites to repeat as champions. They have a ranking advantage against all opponents other than Argentina, who won’t be fielding their senior side. But, with rugby in the Americas broadly improving, none of these fixtures can be overlooked. In particular, the road test against Argentina XV looms.

FRONT ROW

The Eagles seem to have as close to a locked in front row as possible these days. If available, one imagines that Titi Lamositele, Joe Taufete’e, and Paul Mullen will man the trenches. Mullen, who recently returned to the Houston SaberCats, may be available longer than Lamositele and Taufete’e. The European front rowers will probably be returning to their club sides after a couple of fixtures.

That is a solid international quality front row. But who stands behind them?

Gary Gold has called on five total props. Behind Titi is the youngster David Ainuu. Ainuu plays for Toulouse and won his first international cap last year. He has the making of a long and successful career but is still fairly green. The more reps he can get before this year’s World Cup, the better.

Chance Wenglewski also did enough in his debut this fall to get called back to the squad, where he provides loose head depth.

Dino Waldren, of the London Scottish, had been playing excellent rugby last year before missing a prolonged period of playing time with injury. If Titi gets the nod on the loose side, Dino may be the only reserve with tight head experience on the roster. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for error, particularly if some of the USA props will be only temporarily available.

Conversely, there are a lot of reserve hookers. Dylan Fawsitt has probably earned the second shot at the job, but after that, it’s anyone’s guess. One player to watch is San Diego Legion hooker Kapeli Pifeleti, who will be looking for his first cap.

SECOND ROW

Nick Civetta (Doncaster) is another player who has earned a locked-on start under Gold. His lineout abilities provide constant impacts. The second starting lock position is less clear.

Samu Manoa has returned to California on compassionate grounds to be with his family and is currently unattached. At this time last year, he would have been the odds on favorite to start. Now, I’m not so sure. I think his lack of availability and off-field concerns may have opened the door for others.

Right now, I expect Ben Landry and Greg Peterson to be ahead of Samu on the depth chart.

BACK ROW

Has Hanco Germishuys finally earned a starting spot? With Tony Lamborn out injured, probably. Opposite him, you’d expect to see John Quill, who is the second most capped Eagle selected (29). In fact, along with starting #8 Cam Dolan (40 caps, leading the team), the Eagle back row is the most experienced part of the squad.

Also joining camp is Malon Al-Jiboori, who recently signed with the Glendale Raptors after coming off the USA 7s circuit. He’s a dynamic athlete who can make plays.

And Tevita Tameilau returns to action as well. Tevita can basically play anywhere in the pack with his size and athleticism, except maybe hooker. And there are certainly enough of those. So sure, let’s call him a flanker for now.

HALF BACKS

In the #9 shirt, Shaun Davies will be starting when fit. Rueben de Haas had an up-and-down trial following Davies’ concussion in the fall and he may very well be the scrum half of the future. That future hasn’t come quite yet, but it is good to know there is a viable option in Davies’ absence. Nick Boyer, who got his first cap in the fall, is also selected. Getting his first selection as a scrum half, at least according to USA Rugby’s press release, is Life University’s Duncan Van Schalwyk. Known as a fly half in school, it is reasonable to wonder if the press release was just a typo.

At #10, the Eagles welcome back to fitness star fly half AJ MacGinty. No incoming player can be as beneficial as AJ, who missed the fall internationals. He’ll only be available for two matches, according to Gary Gold. Next in line will be interesting to see.

In the fall, when MacGinty was out, Will Hooley took over the fly half duties. He was reasonably successful, though it still seemed like slotting him at fullback with Will Magie at #10 may have been the more optimal division of labor. Magie may be a step behind Hooley, particularly in November, when Hooley was in-season and Magie’s Raptors were golfing. But Hooley is a better full back, and the sum of the parts may have been greater with those players flipped on the pitch.

Excluding Schalwyk, who is probably also a fly half, this ARC sees the potential first cap of Tadgh Leader. Leader made a name for himself last year with the San Diego Legion and after clearing eligibility for the Eagles –despite being named to the USA Selects roster and not partaking in the Americas Pacific Challenge– looks for his first cap. has been called into Eagle camp before. That won’t be the case after this tournament, when he may even start a game.

CENTERS

Paul Lasike. Bryce Campbell. Case closed.

BACK ROW

Blaine Scully, frequent team captain, is out. So is occasional captain Nate Augspurger. Despite those two big absences, the Eagles have depth in their back row. How it will all sort out in Gary Gold’s mind is still uncertain.

Hooley may very well get the nod at full back, but ignoring him, the selectors seem keen on veteran Luke Hume. Gold named Hume as full back in the fall opener before being he was pulled last minute for injury.

Ryan Matyas has been a playmaking wing given every opportunity. At this stage, he’s done enough to start at the wing when Blaine and Nate are out. Teammate Mike Te’o, who is sitting on 21 caps, has also been electric with ball in hand. He returns from injury and will get a chance to make an impression on Gold.

Marcel Brache is an established Eagle (12 caps) with an instinct for scoring who can play full back and wing. But Gannon Moore has also done very well in his brief chance during the November internationals. He gave a few individual efforts that raised eyebrows and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets more playing time than people might be expecting.

NON-SELECTS

The continued injury absence of Eric Fry, who was loose head in the iconic Scotland win, muddies the front row picture. Who would the first choice starters be with everyone fit?

Mike Kruse, Glendale winger, was not selected. It feels similar to when Ryan Matyas wasn’t selected last year. Kruse will be back sooner rather than later.

Vili Toluta’u, star Seawolf winger, was also left off. Despite his MLR success, he hasn’t been able to carve his way into the crowded Eagle back row.

In fact, not a single Seattle Seawolf was called to camp. Surprising, given their status as reigning champs. Even though some of their stars are Canadian and not eligible, that is still a bit shocking.

SELECTIONS BY CLUB (Including Injured Non-Selects)

San Diego: 7

Glendale: 4

NOLA: 2

RUNY: 3

Austin: 1

Utah: 1

Houston: 1

Seattle: 0

Toronto: 0

Overseas: 20

Unattached: 2

CUMULATIVE CAPS (Excluding Injured Non-Selects): 449