Eagles sharpen their talons for Clermont
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:54
United States national team coach Scott Johnson has revealed his squad for the upcoming match against French club ASM Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.
The US squad has been training in Charleston, South Carolina this week in preparation for the match.
Following a short turn-around from the North America Four finals in Glendale, Colorado on August 2, this Eagles squad was selected from a combination of players Scott Johnson and his assistant coaches saw through the North America Four games, as well as what Johnson viewed while overseas and during the Collegiate All-American tour in New Zealand.
Most of the team arrived in Charleston on August 3, but a few of the players were still filtering in on Tuesday.
The event is not only the first of its kind for the city of Charleston, but also the state of South Carolina.
"It's obviously exciting to have Clermont Auvergne, one of the best French rugby clubs, coming to the USA," USA Rugby chief executive officer and president of rugby Nigel Melville said.
"Building a relationship with a professional team of their caliber is great for USA Rugby and considering their connection to Michelin, which has its North American headquarters in South Carolina, there is really no better place to host such an event."
"It's important to note that this match is not just about the teams showing up and playing the game, it's about the opportunities this match presents to develop the game of rugby on a whole," Melville added.
"With coach, referee and youth development opportunities, USA Rugby is looking forward to developing this into a legacy event.
"We are about furthering the growth of the game and a fixture like this can only help build upon our momentum forward."
USA Squad:
Forwards: Ben Barclay (University College Dublin), Todd Clever (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club), Mark Crick (Potomac Athletic Club), Brian Lemay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds) Matekitonga Moeakiola (Pukekohe, N.Z.), Rikus Pretorius (California Golden Bears), Pat Quinn (Denver Barbarians), Casey Rock (Glendale Raptors), Kevin Sheahan (St. Mary's College, Dublin) Hayden Smith (Metropolitan State College of Denver), Louis Stanfill (Cal) John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians), Joe Welch (Cal), Ben Wiedemer (Belmont Shore).
Backs: Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins), Tyrone Coppedge (South Logan Magpies, Australia) Hanno Dirksen (Trojans Rugby Club - Georgia), Chad Erskine (Rotherham, England), Gary Golding (Cal), Colin Hawley (Cal), Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Blaine Scully (UCLA), Alipate Tuilevuka (Park City Haggis), Albert Tuipulotu (Beziers, France), Chris Wyles (OMBAC).
Date: Saturday, August 9
Venue: Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina
Kick-off: 19.00
(23.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Bretz (USA)
Touch judges: Chris Henshall (USA), Fred Thomas (USA)
