USA Rugby Release: BOULDER, Colo. – The roster for the USA Rugby Boys High School All-American sides competing in the 2015 Las Vegas Invitational has been announced.

Twenty-eight players will convene for three days beginning Tuesday, Feb. 10, before the Serevi High School Boys Elite 7s division competition starts alongside USA Sevens, the fifth leg of the 2014-15 World Rugby HSBC Sevens World Series.

The BHSAAs’ division includes a strong Canadian contingent in British Columbia, Ontario Blues, Toronto Rugby, and Upright Rugby Rogues. The domestic teams include Atlantis, Palo Verde Rugby, Utah Lions, and Washington Loggers.

The BHSAAs return three key players from 2014 in Brian Hannon, Aaron Matthews, and Austin Taefu. All three played in the Las Vegas Invitational in 2014, as well as Rosslyn Park National School Sevens and II Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

The graduation of Cian Barry, Matt Brenna, Ben Cima, Hanco Germishuys, Seth Halliman, Vili Helu, Jesse Mander, Malcom May, Wes Parker, Michael Reid, Tyler Sousley, Jojo Tikoisuva, and Calvin Whiting means Salty Thompson’s team is a squad with a big challenge ahead.

“Graduating a core of solid players naturally makes room for the new generations,” the head coach said. “The challenge is to blend the boys into cohesive teams in a few practices. Vegas has been instrumental in providing a rare opportunity to play on home soil.”

In 2014, the BHSAAs took home the High School Boys Elite 7s Division Cup and Plate, the top two trophies at the tournament.