New USA head coach Duncan Hall has named former USA head coach Ray Cornbill as his assistant joining Michael DeJong on the staff. Cornbill coached the Eagles in the late
70's/early 80's.

Cornbill currently coaches Manhattan RFC and the 1999 USA's development side as well as sits on the USA Rugby Technical Panel and the National Team's
selection panel at the annual All-Star Championship. Of special note is Cornbill's role as selector and head coach of the highly successful US Maccabiah Games team. He will be responsible for the backs unit during the Eagles' 2000 campaign that includes five Epson Cup matches and a one-off test against Ireland. An Eagle tour of the UK sees them in action against Scotland on November 4th and Wales November 18th.

"I look forward to helping Duncan and the team assimilate many of the changing features of the modern game," said Cornbill. "The challenge will be to seek out and play to our advantages, such as good hard running and tackling, while establishing high levels of basic skill."

New York-based, Cornbill currently heads the Health Services Research and Development Unit at Mt. Sinai medical school.

Head coach Hall said "I believe that finding a coach to complement the team philosophy is of paramount importance. From the development of the fundamental skills of rugby to the tactical game Ray can support our next phase of growth. Together with his willingness to impart his knowledge, it makes him the right man for the job."

The USA National Team season gets underway in late May when the Eagles take on Japan in the Pacific Rim tournament. The team move to Manchester, New Hampshire June 3 to play Canada and faces Ireland at the
same venue on June 10. The 2000 schedule also includes away games in Tonga and Fiji, and a match in San Francisco versus Samoa on July 15.