USA Men's 15s Head Coach Gary Gold has announced his matchday 23 to have Uruguay Saturday in Glendale, Colo. in the next round of Rugby World Cup qualification.

Gold has made six roster changes from the last time the Eagles played, a 36-19 win over Canada that secured a series win over their rivals. Will Magie started at flyhalf after AJ MacGinty could not travel due to injury. This means Bryce Campbell will serve as captain. Mika Kruse will start at wing, where he started in the first game against Canada in St. John's Newfoundland, and flyhalf/center Luke Carty is on the bench after not seeing action in the last game.

Lock Greg Peterson and prop Matt Harmon return to the bench after not seeing action against Canada. Fullback/flyhalf Will Hooley is back in the mix for the first time since 2019. Hard-hitting NOLA Gold flanker Moni Tonga’uiha, formerly of Life West, is on the bench and could get his first cap.

The USA plays Uruguay in the first leg of a two-game RWC Qualifier series Saturday, October 2 at 6:00 PM Mountain Time at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. Tickets are available here>> with a live stream on florugby.com.

“While there is still excitement and enthusiasm from our win over Canada, we have a much different and hugely challenging task ahead with Uruguay," said Gold. “Everyone has seen what this team can do in the way they defeated Fiji at Rugby World Cup and even looking back to the last time we played them in 2018 for the ARC. This is a very talented, well-coached and experienced South American side and we have to bring that same physicality and energy that we had a few weeks ago in order to play to our strengths.  If we start to make little mistakes and move away from our playing DNA, we will put ourselves behind.

“It’s been a great week of training with a few more sessions to go and I am confident this group will put in the work necessary to be prepared come Saturday.”

Long History

The United States men and Uruguay have met 18 times with the Eagles leading a 14-1-3 record. Uruguay has considerably improved over the years, beating the Eagles 32-25 in March of 2019 and securing an upset of Fiji during Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Uruguay arrived last week and has spent their time acclimating to the altitude and fall weather of Colorado. Saturday’s match is the first of a home and away series in which the winner on aggregate will secure their place at the World Cup in France alongside New Zealand, Italy, France and Africa I in Pool A. The loser will play for the Americas 2 position in a new round of matches to take place in 2022.

Uruguay hosts the finale in Montevideo to take place on October 9 at 3 PM Eastern with a live stream available on florugby.com in the United States.

Head to Head

Overall Record
USA leads 14-3 with one draw

Points
USA 578, Uruguay 311

Tries
USA 72, Uruguay 29

Highest score
USA 61 (61-13 on 3 March, 2018)

Last contest
USA 25 Uruguay 35 (February 2, 2019)

Men’s XVs National Team Staff

Head Coach | Gary Gold
Asst Coach | Rob Hoadley
Asst Coach | Steve Brett
Asst Coach | Shawn Pittman
Head of Strength & Conditioning | Huw Bevan
Asst Strength & Conditioning | Josh Schnell
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Team Doctor | Brady Bowen
Head Physiotherapist | Kristen Douhan
Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz 
Athletic Trainer | Ron Klingensmith
Team Manager | Oscar Alvarez