Preview: USA v Russia
The rebuilding American squad is looking to bounce back from a 20-24 loss to Italy a week ago but the Eagles will be without Taku Ngwenya and Greg Peterson, who were injured against Italy, and Andrew Durutalo, who has rejoined the USA Sevens team.
"It's not ideal when you're doing team scenarios that we're short on numbers," said Mitchell, the former New Zealand coach.
This is just the second match for the Americans since finishing as runner-up to Argentina at the inaugural Americas Championship earlier this year.
Wing Luke Hume and Seth Halliman were added to the Eagles camp and will contend for a spot for the Russia game, which takes place at Bonney Field in Sacramento, California. Eric Fry, who has 40 caps for the USA, has been added to the camp and is also trying to make the squad.
Ngwenya was taken to the hospital after the Italy game for precautionary reasons but was eventually released. Durutalo is committed to playing with the Sevens team, so left to attend the other Eagles training camp in San Diego.
Russia comes into Saturday's game after losing 21-46 to Canada in Calgary last week. Russia has never beaten the USA in six contests. This is just the second time the teams will square off on US soil after meeting in Colorado in 2010.
Teams:
Unites States: TBC
Russia: TBC
Date: Saturday, June 25
Venue: Bonney Field, Sacramento, California
Kick-off: 19.00 (Sunday, June 26 – 02.00 GMT; Sunday, June 26 – 05.00 MSK)
Expected weather: Excruciatingly hot with a high of no less than 40°C
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Chris Assmus (Canada)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Agence France-Presse
