Pathways | USA Rugby

USA RUGBY JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAMS

Since 2002, the USA Rugby Junior National Team Programs have produced 54 players and 26 coaches who have represented the United States at the highest level of international rugby. Across multiple age categories and through philanthropic support, the USA Rugby Junior National Teams provide a step-by-step opportunity for developing players to join the USA Eagle pathway.

U18s

Top rugby players within the ages of 16-18 years old and competing in a High School rugby program. Selections for USA Rugby’s U18 assemblies and competitions are made from player identification clinics and combines, in-person and remote scouting around the country, and film submissions from qualified and capable players. All camps and competitions are focused on long-term player development.

U20s

Players in XVs who fit within the ages of 19-20 years old and participate in a club or collegiate level rugby program. The U20s participate in formal international competitions such as the U20 Women’s Tri-Nations Cup and U20 Men’s World Rugby Trophy. The U20 program is primarily XVs but is expected to expand in to sevens as World Rugby offers additional opportunity for competition.

U23s

Players in XVs or sevens who primarily fit between the ages of 19-23 and participate in a club or collegiate rugby program. U23s assemble at various points through the year for talent identification and development camps which lead to domestic or international games & tours. Players are chosen for an annual selection camp through nominations from their respective college conferences and selection by national team scouts and coaches.

USA FALCONS

The USA Falcons are developmental teams for the senior men’s and women’s national teams in sevens and XVs. Games contested at the Falcons level do not count for international caps or rankings points and are not considered test matches. However, once players compete with a Falcons team in XVs, they are committed to the USA.

The teams serve as a support to the senior Women’s and Men’s Eagles by building depth in the player pools for both programs and exposing new waves of players to international competition. Falcons competitions also provide more playing time for current national team players; streamlining the transition of new players to the senior programs with interaction between various experience levels. The USA Falcons are equivalent in competition level to Academy or A sides of other national rugby unions.

Prior to March of 2020, development teams for the senior national sides in XVs were formerly known as Selects.

USA HAWKS

A partnership between USA Rugby High Performance and Major League Rugby, the USA Hawks are a centralized Men’s XVs developmental squad competing in exhibition matches starting against Super Rugby Americas clubs and other international development sides. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the co-initiative provides a residential full-time competition environment for up-and-coming domestic talent and future USA Men’s Eagles prospects.

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