Bryce Campbell leads as Captain when the No. 16 USA Men’s XVs National Team faces No. 22 Canada this Saturday in the first of a two-leg series for Rugby World Cup qualification. Kick off is set for 3:00 PM local time // 1:30 PM Eastern at Swilers Rugby Club in St John’s, Newfoundland. The game will be LIVE-streamed on florugby.com.

Roster Highlights

• Due to travel complications, AJ MacGinty arrived late into camp and will be named to the reserves 

• Starting hooker Dylan Fawsitt and reserve Nate Augspurger feature for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2019 

• Christian Dyer (wing) and Luke Carty (fullback) will start after two impressive performances this summer against England and Ireland

• Reserve Tavita Lopeti could earn his first cap from the bench 

Head Coach Gary Gold said:

“This is the first of two very crucial games for us in terms of Rugby World Cup qualification. We are very clear on what our roles are and what we need to do this weekend and now it’s time to execute against those plans. 

“As a squad we have had to adapt not only over the past year, but in these last two weeks as the travel restrictions and safety requirements due to COVID-19 have changed the preparation landscape for everyone. On top of that, Canada bring a well-coached and formidable side with a wealth of talented players. They have proven time and time again just how much of a threat they are in terms of their game plan, experience and rugby intelligence as we all saw at our warm up match back in 2019. 

“All our focus and energy right now is on Canada this weekend in St John’s as they pose a massive challenge for us.”

About the Two-Game Series

Saturday’s matchup is the first of two-games in a home and away series that serves as Part One of the overall World Cup qualification process. The United States will host Canada on September 11 in Glendale, CO for the final leg where the team who scores the most points across both games will emerge as the top seed for North America. 

If the Eagles win, they’ll face Uruguay -- the top seed for South America -- in another home and away series on Oct 2 in Glendale, CO and Oct 9 in Montevideo. If they lose, the USA will face Chile on the same dates in October for a separate home and away series to determine placings for the next stage of qualification in 2022. 

Tickets for both USA home matches on Sept 11 and Oct 2 are available now at usarug.by/RWCQ. Both matches are broadcast LIVE on florugby.com. 

Last Meeting: USA vs Canada 

The United States and Canada will meet for the first time since 2019 when the Canadians hosted a nailbiter at B.C. Place as a warmup for the previous World Cup in Japan. After starting with an 0-12 deficit, the Eagles came back to defeat their rivals 20-15, retaining the Can-Am trophy and extending their win streak over Canada to six games. The USA have not lost to their North American counterparts since 2013 but logged a draw in the 2017 qualification series.

Men’s XVs National Team Staff

Head Coach | Gary Gold

Asst Coach | Rob Hoadley

Asst Coach | Steve Brett

Asst Coach | Shawn Pittman

Head of Strength & Conditioning | Huw Bevan

Asst Strength & Conditioning | Josh Schnell

Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison

Team Doctor | Sam Akhavan

Head Physiotherapist | Kristen Douhan

Athletic Trainer | Ron Klingensmith

Team Manager | Oscar Alvarez