USA U20 Men's Team Named

USA Men's U20 Head Coach Scott Bracken has named 33 players to the 2020 team, with Saint Mary’s freshman Miles McCormick as captain.

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The group is comprised of US collegiate and high school players, with some players from overseas included.

"There is no better jersey to wear than the red, white, and blue," McCormick told Goff Rugby Report. "To be captain is such an honor. For me and the other players it's very attractive to play against different countries."

With the players at home and not training, McCormick said he has tried to set an example and talked to the players to ake sure they are staying fit during what he calls "an awful situation," meaning the COVID-19 pandemic.

"However, while it's tough, it is also a chance to not beat up our bodies and, if we play, prepare 100% for when we need to show up. Coming from so many different programs, collaboration is the key. There are a lot of guys who are used to being the name guys on their teas. But we cant all be a highlight show. We need to work on being a collaborative team."

Of the 33 players named:

20 represent U.S. universities and junior colleges

4 represent high school programs

3 represent Major League Rugby

4 represent European clubs

2 represent New Zealand clubs

1 represents an Australian club

“Our staff’s main focus this cycle was athlete identification,” said Coach Bracken. “We solicited across the US and over the world for player recommendations and the response was vast. We netted nearly 200 responses which made the competition for selection tight. The staff and I have spent endless hours looking at film, talking with coaches and on calls; and, we think we got it right. This 2020 team has the potential to be a very formidable side.”

The USA Under-20s were originally set to play in the inaugural Men’s U20 Americas Rugby Championship. While the competition was postponed due to COVID-19, World Rugby continues to evaluate the climate for an opportunity to host the event later this year.

If the U20 ARC is to be cancelled entirely, USA Rugby High Performance will seek alternative competitions, in line with World Rugby’s return to play protocol, to give all athletes an opportunity to represent the United States.