Some of the top college rugby players are taking centre stage in Scotland this week as USA’s Junior Eagles have reached the final of the World Rugby U20’s Trophy, which will take place at Murrayfield’s Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Wednesday 17 July.
Team USA emerged top of Pool B after wins against Uruguay, Netherlands and Kenya to set up a final clash with host nation Scotland, who topped Pool A thanks to emphatic wins over Samoa, Hong Kong and Japan.
Colleges represented include Brown, UCLA, Cal Berkley, Lindenwood, Life, St. Mary’s, Kentucky, St. Bonaventure and Central Washington University, while the squad also features four players who have already made the step to Major League Rugby. The USA U20’s team are coached by South African Neethling Gericke, who was previously head coach at Life University, having also played collegiate rugby for them in Atlanta.
The prize for the winners will be a return to the World Rugby U20 Championship among the leading nations next year, an event the USA haven’t qualified for since 2013.
The Eagles will be desperate to book their place as the USA counts down to hosting the Men’s World Cup in 2031, followed by the Women’s World Cup in 2033.
The World Trophy U20s Final will kick off at 7.45pm at the Hive Stadium, with the match also being streamed live on Rugby Pass.
