This is an opinion column, and basically all pure speculation. As reported on Goff Rugby Report, the members of the USA Men’s 15s team in assembly know who will be starting and who will be on the bench this weekend against Italy.

We don’t know that list - it’s being kept secret until later this week, so let’s have fun and guess, shall we?

If I was really courageous I would just flat-out list my starting 15, but I am not that brave, especially seeing as I haven’t seen the training sessions. So I am going by what I think the coaches are thinking and what the team needs - stuff like that.

And of course there are some questions.

Props: Kind of feel like you’ve got to start with Chris Baumann and Titi Lamositele. Lamo is about to make another big surge, I think. He has been enjoying an excellent apprenticeship at Saracens, eased into some major games, and you’ll see the result this June.

Hooker: Actually have no idea here. I was thinking that Joe Taufete’e was the go-to man, but now I am not so sure. It’s possible we’ll see Tom Coolican or James Hilterbrand. Each brings something different. Tauefete’e is certainly more of a runner, and Coolican is sort of a grafter and battler. Hilterbrand is more like Coolican, although maybe Hilterbrand is tougher defensively. I’d bet that lineouts and scrums dictate who gets the nod.

Lock: A huge question-mark position, in that the Eagles have often used the position to squeeze in loose forwards who could amp up the athleticism of the squad.

But we’re not in that position as much, maybe because Samu Manoa is hurt and Lou Stanfill and Scott LaValla are retired. And the additional flankers on the squad aren’t those 6-4, 240 types, as much. Nate Brakeley is kind of that type. James King is more a lock, and so is Greg Peterson. If you subscribe to the idea that your #4 has to be one type and your #5 has to be another, I’d see Brakeley getting a start. But all three are big, need to play tough in the trenches, and aren’t especially quick. So be it. 

Back Row: Easy. Todd Clever at 6, Andrew Durutalo at 7, Cam Dolan at 8. My understanding is that Durutalo will leave next week to work with the 7s team, and that opens up an opportunity for Brakeley or Harry Higgins or Tony Lamborn. 

Scrumhalf: I kind of thought Shaun Davies was going to get a start here, but he didn’t get to stay, so shows you what I know. This position is, worryingly, completely up in the air. I was very impressed with Tom Bliss, but his injury rules him out. Expect Nate Augspurger to return to 7s training next week, so maybe he starts this week? But it’s also likely we’ll see Mike Te’o play this position for both games. Shalom Suniula is a possible backup, and just to blow your mind, how about this? AJ MacGinty. He actually was considered a scrumhalf when he came to the USA. If you put him in at #9 then you’ve got a few more options at flyhalf. 

Flyhalf: Most everyone has penciled in MacGinty as the starting #10 and, unless we see a shakeup at scrumhalf, that’s what should happen. Then it’s a question of whether Mitchell wants James Bird to sit back or Will Holder to attack as a backup. All three can kick goals, so that’s nice. Suniula is very much a running flyhalf. He doesn’t kick for goal, so if you put him here, one of those other three have to be on the field. 

Center: Chad London, Thretton Palamo, and Stephen Tomasin are really the only true centers here. Luke Hume or Seth Halliman could play there, too, and maybe Holder also. But I’d be pretty surprised if it wasn’t Palamo at #12 and London at #13. Wild card would be Mike Te’o, who can play almost everywhere.

Wing: Taku Ngwenya at right wing? Tell me that won’t happen. Luke Hume at left wing? Both are very volatile and exciting players. Sure, why not?  Seth Halliman stands as an interesting option all through the outside backs. He’s young, but Mitchell has shown he doesn’t care about that.

Fullback: Blaine Scully. Obvs. Backup would be Te’o, maybe Bird. Scully’s presence is hugely important. His predecessor, Chris Wyles, was very vocal from behind the backline, and that helped younger players read the game. Scully will beed to be a little like that.

So that seems to be a lineup of: 1. Baumann, 2. Taufete’e *  3. Lamositele, 4. Brakeley or King, 5. Peterson, 6. Clever, 7. Durutalo, 8. Dolan, 9. Te’o, 10. MacGinty, 11. Hume, 12. Palamo, 13. London, 14. Ngwenya, 15. Scully

*-could be anybody.