The US National Team has announced a squad of 35 players for its two June matches against
Scotland.

The group includes veteran internationals, capped players hoping to become test regulars, and newcomers looking to make their Eagle debut. "We have a core group of veterans and also a group of players fighting to establish themselves," head coach Tom Billups said in announcing the squad.

Coming off a storming season for Welsh power Llanelli, backrower Dave Hodges will captain the Eagles. Other Britain-based professionals include scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell, prop Dan Dorsey, lock Luke Gross, wing Jason Keyter, and flyhalf Link Wilfley.

The list of experienced, US-based players includes center Phillip Eloff, hooker Kirk Khasigian, prop Mike MacDonald, flanker Kort Schubert, and utility back Mose Timoteo, all veterans of the 2000 and 2001 test seasons.

Promising newcomers include scrumhalf Doug Rowe, MVP at the Senior All-Star Championships in December and flyhalf Mike Hercus, a standout for Super League semi-finalists Belmont Shore. Center Ben Trautwein and wing David Fee are both 7s internationals, while Matt Huckaby and Greg Alley have been in previous Eagles camps as developmental players.

Meanwhile, the long pro season has cost the USA the services of backrower Dan Lyle of Bath, who recently underwent shoulder surgery that will limit his availability this summer.

Having picked on form and fitness, Billups left open the possibility of adding players based on remaining club playoffs and the Collegiate All-Star Championships.

For most squad members, the first goal will be to earn playing time in the USA 'A' team to face Scotland in Beaverton, Oregon, on Tuesday, June 18. "We have few opportunities to look at players in the international arena without the pressure of a full-blown test match," Billups noted. "We will take full advantage of this chance."

The coaching staff will look to include the best performers in the test team to play Scotland in San Francisco just four days later. "No one is guaranteed a jersey," said Billups. "We'll put the form players into the test side."

Also at stake are roster spots for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers, which begin the week after the Scotland test when the Eagles visit Toronto to play Canada on June 29. Billups will narrow the travel squad based on performances against Scotland.

The Eagles return home to play Canada on July 13 in Chicago, and then play Chile on August 10 in Salt Lake City and Uruguay on August 15 in San Francisco. The home-and-away RWC Qualification series finishes in South America in the last two weeks of August.

USA squad:
Forwards: Greg Alley, Dan Anderson, Dan Dorsey, Luke Gross, Dave Hodges (captain), Conrad Hodgson, Matt Huckaby, Kirk Khasigian, Scott Lawrence, Mike MacDonald, Andy McGarry, Eric Reed, Adam Russell, Aaron Satchwell, Kort Schubert, Paul Still, Brian Surgener, John Tarpoff, Jacob Waasdorp, Matt Wyatt
Backs: John Buchholz, Kevin Dalzell, Paul Emerick, Philip Eloff, David Fee, Riaan Hamilton, Mike Hercus, Jason Keyter, Kimball Kjar, Jone Koroi, Doug Rowe, Mose Timoteo, Ben Trautwein, Grant Wells, Link Wilfley