There are several changes to the USA squad for the return RWC qualifying match against Canada.

In the forwards, lock/backrower Brian Surgener rejoins the team while All-American hooker Greg Smith gains his first call-up. In the backs, veteran center Juan Grobler joins the Eagles for the first time this season.

Dave Hodges captains the 24-man squad, which will be without injured lock Luke Gross. Meanwhile, flanker Kort Schubert and backs Mike Hercus and Jason Keyter, also injured during the Canada match, have been given the green light to resume training.

"We're looking to take another big step forward, and that step is within us," US coach Tom Billups said in announcing the squad.

"We moved in the right direction last weekend, for instance going from literally dozens of missed tackles against the Scots to a more realistic 11 against Canada. This week, we have to push forward still harder if we're to advance our RWC qualifying hopes."

Surgener's return from the professional commitments which kept him from traveling is timely, given last Saturday's injuries to both Gross and Schubert. If named in Saturday's 22, the 6'4", 240 pounder provides cover across five positions.

Smith, a repeat selection to the 2002 All-American side named earlier this week, gets an accelerated introduction to test rugby in the absence of injured Chicago Griffin Dan Anderson, who broke his leg against Scotland and will miss the remainder of the RWC qualifiers. Fellow All-American rakes Mark Wyatt and Chris Miller also have been in Eagle camps this summer.

The recall of Grobler provides competition and depth to a backline which looked a bit thin in the aftermath of Toronto. 2002 All-American center Cayo Nicolau traveled to Toronto in a developmental capacity, but Grobler's 30 caps and ability to play both center positions became more valuable after Hercus and Keyter each left the game.

Gross, who broke his foot against Canada, had the fracture successfully repaired on July 1 by US National Team phyisican Dr.Warren King. His recovery period is uncertain. The popular Gross is home recovering and will be at the match in Chicago, Billups said.

Also in the squad are props Dan Dorsey, Andy McGarry, John Tarpoff, and Mike MacDonald, another 2002 All-American. The hookers are Kirk Khasigian and Smith. The other locks are Eric Reed and Philippe Farner. The backrow group comprises Olo Fifita, Conrad Hodgson, and 2002 All-American Kort Schubert as well as Hodges and Surgener.

The backs include scrumhalves Kevin Dalzell and 2002 All-American Kimball Kjar; inside backs Mike Hercus, Link Wilfley, Philip Eloff, Juan Grobler, and Jason Keyter; and deep three candidates John Buchholz, David Fee, Jone Naqica, and Mose Timoteo. Keyter also has lined up at wing for the Eagles.

Thirteen of the 24-man squad have been USA Rugby Collegiate All-Americans, including nine of the thirteen forwards.

The US National Team reassembles Monday in Chicago to prepare for its second Rugby World Cup qualifying match, a July 13 contest with Canada. The initial home game of the USA's RWC qualifying campaign also marks the team's first visit to Chicago since 1991, when the Eagles met Japan.

United States: Forwards: Dan Dorsey, Philippe Farner, Oloseti Fifita, Dave Hodges (captain), Conrad Hodgson, Kirk Khasigian, Mike MacDonald, Andrew McGarry, Eric Reed, Kort Schubert, Greg Smith, Brian Surgener, John Tarpoff. Backs: John Buchholz, Kevin Dalzell, Philip Eloff, David Fee, Juan Grobler, Mike Hercus, Jason Keyter, Kimball Kjar, Jone Naqica, Mose Timoteo, Link Wilfley