The US Eagles have been forced to make three changes to their roster for the Americas Rugby Championship. Dropping out of the squad are Ben Landry, Ryan Matyas, and Tim Maupin. Second row Landry was forced off early with a head knock while playing for Ealing on the weekend, while outside backs Matyas and Maupin were injured on Major League Rugby duty.

There is one new cap among those called up. Life University winger Harley Wheeler has received his first invitation to the senior national side. The 21-year-old was part of the Junior All-Americans in 2017, a 1st Team Collegiate All-American in 2018, and earlier this month was part of the USA Falcons squad that competed in the Sudamérica Sevens series.

Also joining the team is Rugby United New York lock Nate Brakeley and San Diego Legion midfielder Dylan Audsley. Both were part of the Eagles training squad in November but neither traveled on the European tour. This will be Brakeley’s fourth consecutive ARC campaign while Audsley made his test debut in the 2018 competition.

The USA open their tournament on Saturday against Chile at the Estadio Bueras in Maipú.