Gold banks on Saffas for Irish task
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: USA Head coach Gary Gold has named his match-day 23 to face Ireland on Saturday.
The full squad features three changes to the starting lineup with two adjustments made on the bench. Chief among them is the anticipated return of scrumhalf Shaun Davies who jumps back in the mix after completing HIA protocol. As Davies returns, Cheetahs scrumhalf Ruben de Haas will take his place with the reserves.
Changes to the starting XV continue with South African-born Hanco Germishuys in at flank. While former Western Province back Marcel Brache shifts to wing with Will Hooley in at fullback. Germishuys replaces Tony Lamborn who flew home earlier this week to recover from injury, while Hooley returns after being pulled from last week’s battle with Romania as a precaution.
With adjustments to the starting lineup made, Eagle Samu Manoa will feature as a reserve alongside newcomer Chance Wenglewski. Wenglewski joined the Eagles for their November opener against the Maori All Blacks in Chicago and has the opportunity to earn his first cap from the bench.
The No.13 will take the pitch at Aviva Stadium for the first time since 2004 having last faced Ireland in 2017 at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. In 2017, the United States men fell to a 19-55 Irish victory.
“We know this weekend will present our greatest challenge yet with the Ireland side still buzzing from their historic victory over the All Blacks,” said South African Gary Gold.
“Ireland will be relentless as ever this weekend and our guys have spent the last week ensuring that they approach Saturday’s game with the level of intensity that will put us in the best position to meet the fight,”
As an unprecedented year of test match rugby comes to a close, the Men’s National Team will focus on using Saturday’s contest to build on the momentum established through 2018. Ireland is equally looking to close out their year in a position of strength after winning the Six Nations 2018 and notching their biggest victory on home soil last week against the All Blacks.
USA: 15 Will Hooley, 14 Blain Scully (captain), 13 Bryce Campbell, 12 Paul Lasiki, 11 Marcel Brache, 10 Will Magie, 9 Shaun Davies, 8 Cam Dolan, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 6 John Quill, 5 Nick Civetta, 4 Greg Peterson, 3 Paul Mullen, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 1 Titi Lamositele.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 Samu Manoa, 20 David Tameilau, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Gannon Moore, 23 Ryan Matyas.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Venue: Aviva Stadium,
Kick-off: 18:30 (18.30 GMT, 12.30 USA time)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Ian Davies (Wales)
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