Eagles send their amateurs into battle
The United States Eagles are coming off an away win against Portugal in Lisbon and will look to do the same against Scotland ‘A’ on Friday.
The Eagles that will take the field at Netherdale Stadium in Galashiels will consist of nine non-professional players, with only six pros getting a start.
Hayden Smith and Patrick Danahy will make their first appearances of the tour on Friday.
Smith has been in good form playing for his professional club, Saracens, this season and will make a contribution at second row. Danahy replaced John van der Giessen in the squad after van der Giessen suffered a facial injury in the Portugal clash.
Mike MacDonald was initially named in the starting squad, but sustained an injury in practice that ruled him out of Friday’s match. MacDonald will be replaced by Mate Moeakiola at loosehead prop. Shawn Pittman, who was initially going to be rested for this match, will be in the reserves and ready to fill in as needed.
In the backs, Mike Petri will lead the squad on the field as captain and will lead the Eagle attack from scrumhalf. Tai Enosa gets his first start of the tour at flyhalf. Andrew Suniula gets another start at inside centre with Paul Emerick at outside centre after a strong performance off the bench against Portugal.
Alipate Tuilevuka will be an attacking threat as he starts on the right wing, moving away from his usual spot in the centres. Colin Hawley and Zachary Test complete the back three and will see their first action since the Tour opener against Saracens.
The Eagles will finish their tour with an IRB ranking Test against Georgia at the National Stadium in Tbilisi on November 27.
Teams:
United States Eagles: 15 Colin Hawley, 14 Alipate Tuilevuka, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Zachary Test, 10 Taivalu Enosa, 9 Mike Petri (captain), 8 Jonathon Gagiano, 7 Inaki Basauri, 6 Patrick Danahy, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Chris Biller, 1 Mate Moeakiola.
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Shawn Pittman, 18 Scott Lavalla, 19 Louis Stanfill, 20 Tim Usasz, 21 Nese Malifa, 22 Chris Wyles.
Scotland ‘A’: 15 Jim Thompson, 14 Joe Ansbro, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Alex Grove, 11 Lee Jones, 10 David Blair, 9 Mark McMillan, 8 Stuart McInally, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Al Kellock (captain), 4 Fraser McKenzie, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Jon Welsh.
Replacements: 16 Steven Lawrie, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 David Denton, 20 Henry Pyrgos, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Jack Cuthbert.
Date: Friday, November 19
Venue: Netherdale Stadium, Galashiels
Kick-off: 19.30 (19.30 GMT; 10.30 EST in the USA)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Cédric Marchat (France), Jean-Pierre Matheu (France)
