The Americans have been building in the right direction but struggled at RWC 2019

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USA Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide

They have enjoyed historic wins against Scotland and Samoa over the past 18 months but while they showed a doggedness at times in Japan, they ultimately lost all four of their Rugby World Cup pool games.

How They Qualified

The US beat Canada in a two-match play-off with an aggregate score of 80-44.

Key Players

Cam Dolan is a leader while hooker Joe Taufete’e has been in domineering form. AJ MacGinty and Blaine Scully are other Europe-based lynchpins.

Feeling blue: Blaine Scully, who plays for Cardiff Blues, is one of the few Americans playing in Europe (Getty Images)

The Coach – Gary Gold

The well-travelled South African, an assistant Springboks coach at RWC 2011, took over from John Mitchell after a stint at Worcester. So far he has the Midas touch.

Takeover: After assuming the reins of the Eagles from John Mitchell, Gold has made significant improvements (Getty Images)

Major Work-ons

The advent of Major League Rugby means USA now have a full squad of pro players. Gold’s task is to mould the different playing styles that exist across such a vast nation – and tighten up their defence.

USA Rugby World Cup Warm-ups

  • Saturday 27 July 2019: USA 47-19 Canada
  • Saturday 3 August 2019: USA 13-10 Samoa
  • Saturday 10 August 2019: USA 20-34 Japan

Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Warm-ups

USA Rugby World Cup Group

USA are in Group C alongside England, France, Argentina and Tonga.

Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Groups

USA Rugby World Cup Kit

USA Rugby World Cup Fixtures

Shark: AJ MacGinty of the USA and Sale (Getty Images)

USA Rugby World Cup Squad

Forwards (18):
David Ainu’u
Malon Al-Jiboori
Nate Brakeley
Nick Civetta
Cam Dolan
Dylan Fawsitt
Eric Fry
Hanco Germishuys
James Hilterbrand
Olive Kilifi
Tony Lamborn
Titi Lamositele
Ben Landry
Paul Mullen
Gregory Peterson
Ben Pinkelman
John Quill
Joseph Taufete’e

Backs (13):

Blaine Scully (C)
Nate Augspurger
Marcel Brache
Bryce Campbel
Shaun Davies
Ruben De Haas
Will Hooley
Martin Iosefo
Paul Lasike
AJ MacGinty
Will Magie
Thretton Palamo
Mike Te’o

Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Fixtures

Previous World Cup Results and Record

USA’s Rugby World Cup Record: P29 W3 D0 L26

  • 1987 Pool stages
  • 1991 Pool stages
  • 1999 Pool stages
  • 2003 Pool stages
  • 2007 Pool stages
  • 2011 Pool stages
  • 2015 Pool stages
  • 2019 Pool stages

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