24 - 20

33 - 48

34 - 24

47 - 17

41 - 27

12 - 26

57 - 24

30 - 21

35 - 27

51 - 42

47 - 31

36 - 10

34 - 19

45 - 13

39 - 22

27 - 27

38 - 7

27 - 19

27 - 21

24 - 14

34 - 29

55 - 15

28 - 24

31 - 13

38 - 32

25 - 21

31 - 30

29 - 28

12 - 22

43 - 15

12 - 3

13 - 5

35 - 37

24 - 22

47 - 18

International

USA include German international in wider World Cup qualifying squad

By Jon Newcombe

40 days ago

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 7: Chris Hilsenbeck #10 of Chicago Hounds kicks the ball in the first half during a MLR game between Miami Sharks and Chicago Hounds at Florida Blue Training Center on MARCH 7, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Getty Images)

In addition to more familiar names like AJ MacGinty, Cam Dolan, and David Ainu’u, former Germany international Chris Hilsenbeck has been included in the USA’s extended player squad for 2025 when 2027 World Cup qualification is on the line.

Head coach Scott Lawrence has selected 72 players, as preparations ramp up for the Pacific Nations Cup, which will see the best three teams other than the already qualified Fiji and Japan, punch their ticket to Australia.

USA missed out on the last World Cup in France and will be desperate to avoid a repeat, especially as they are hosting the 2031 tournament.

Californian Hilsenbeck is one of 19 uncapped players in the squad, which also includes former Scotland and Glasgow winger Rufus McLean and Olympian Malacchi Esdale.

Hilsenbeck plays his club rugby with Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby, as do the majority of the squad, although there is a strong French influence.

He won 22 caps for Germany between 2012 and 2019 and was a member of the squad that pushed Canada hard in the repechage for the 2019 World Cup.

Joe Taufete’e, Tesimoni Tonga’uiha and Tommaso Boni are also on Lawrence’s radar as they continue their revovery from injury and work towards a return to play.

Lawrence said: “There have had a number of entrance markers put in place to select an initial EPS (Extended Player Squad) for which this group, outside of injury, has largely met.

“The men’s national team will continue to expect players who want to be selected for this critical year, to play meaningful minutes and execute above their professional peers in order to be considered for international honours.”

USA host Belgium, Spain and England in July before competing in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Men’s Eagles 2025 EPS

Forwards
Jack Iscaro (Old Glory DC)
Payton Telea (San Diego Legion)
Jake Turnbull (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Houston SaberCats)
Nate Sylvia (San Diego Legion)
Alex Maughan (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
David Ainu’u (Toulouse)
Paul Mullen (NOLA Gold)
Pono Davis (Houston SaberCats)
Tonga Kofe (Utah Warriors)
Shilo Klein (San Diego Legion(
Kapeli Pifeleti (Provence)
Mikey Sosene-Feagai (RFCLA)
Sean McNulty (Miami Sharks)
Kaleb Geiger (New England Free Jacks)
Dylan Fawsitt (Chicago Hounds)
Sam Golla (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Nafi Ma’afu (Biarritz)
Brandon Harvey (San Diego Legion)
Renger Van Eerten (Brive)
Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold)
Siaosi Mahoni (Seattle Seawolves)
Jason Damm (RFCLA)
Mike Grandy (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Matt Jensen (Utah Warriors)
Marno Redelinghuys (Houston SaberCats)
Viliami Helu (San Diego Legion)
Keni Nasoqeqe (Houston SaberCats)
Emmanuel Albert (Houston SaberCats)
Paddy Ryan (San Diego Legion)
Cory Daniel (Old Glory DC)
Joe Johnston (New England Free Jacks)
Makeen Alikhan (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Christian Poidevin (San Diego Legion)
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (Old Glory DC)
Benjamin Bonasso (Miami Sharks)
Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves)
Tomas Casares (Miami Sharks)

Backs
Ruben De Haas (NOLA Gold)
JP Smith (Seattle Seawolves)
Connor Buckley (Old Glory DC)
Oscar Lennon (New England Free Jacks)
Ethan McVeigh (Old Glory DC)
AJ MacGinty (Bristol Bears)
Luke Carty (NOLA Gold)
Rand Santos (Univ. of California – Berkeley)
Tom Pittman** Flyhalf C’Chartres (FRA)
Chris Hilsenbeck (Chicago Hounds)
Dominic Akina (Houston SaberCats)
Bryce Campbell (Chicago Hounds)
Junior Gafa (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Dominic Besag (Saint Mary’s College)
Tavite Lopeti (San Diego Legion)
Mark O’Keeffe (Chicago Hounds)
Erich Storti (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Mika Kruse (Seattle Seawolves)
Nate Augspurger (Chicago Hounds)
Ryan James (San Diego Legion)
Malacchi Esdale (Seattle Seawolves)
Conner Mooneyham (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Noah Brown (Chicago Hounds)
Rufus Mclean (Houston SaberCats)
Lauina Futi (Seattle Seawolves)
Christian Dyer (RFCLA)
Mitch Wilson (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Toby Fricker (Anthem Rugby Carolina)
Max Schumacher (Houston SaberCats)
Steffan Crimp (Cardiff Met. University)
Corbin Smith (Hartpury College)

EPS availability pending Return To Play
Joe Taufete’e (NOLA Gold)
Tesimoni Tonga’uiha (NOLA Gold)
Tommaso Boni (Old Glory DC)

To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here

LIVE

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

How long can South Africa hedge their bets in both hemispheres?

While Rassie Erasmus' Springboks have conquered all in their path, the ex-Super Rugby franchises have struggled to deliver at the level beneath.

LONG READ

Bordeaux’s thrilling pretenders and salary cap changes threaten Toulouse supremacy

A talented Bordeaux side and proposals to cut the salary cap and credits for Test players present a twin challenge to Toulouse.

LONG READ

Retiring Care and Youngs leave worthy legacy to emerging England scrum-halves

England's new generation of No.9s will have to go some to match the class and durability of retiring duo.

Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 6 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 6 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍