USA Eagles Coach Mike Tolkin has announced the traveling squad that will face Canada in Kingston, Ontario on Saturday, June 9. Kickoff is set for 2pm local time. The squad is also set to face Georgia in Glendale, Colo. on June 16 and cap off its June Test series with a clash with Italy on June 23 in Houston.

Tolkin has named a side with a mix of fresh faces and experienced veterans while giving a nod to the player pathway Tolkin has been heavily involved in for much of his career.

“As the Eagles begin our first assembly after the Rugby World Cup, we have combined a group of veteran players and young players who have moved through our age grade and USA Rugby Sevens programs. The squad and staff are looking forward to initiating the next stage of American rugby beginning with the Canada Test.”

The familiar faces returning to the squad should be no surprise to anyone. Coach Tolkin has already named Todd Clever his captain, as he was in the 2011 World Cup.

Also bringing World Cup experience is Paul Emerick, who has recently returned state side in his off-season with the London Wasps.

Making his way back into the Eagle fold is veteran scrumhalf Mose Timoteo of San Francisco Golden Gate. Timoteo is the former captain of the Eagle Sevens team, and has 27 caps to his name in fifteens. His last cap for the Eagles came in 2006 against Barbados.

There are plenty of fresh faces that will help the coach initiate the next stage of American rugby.

Three players directly from the ranks of college rugby will make the next step in their careers. Army’s Will Holder, Cal’s Seamus Kelly, and BYU’s Shaun Davies will all travel with the Eagles, one of largest collegiate contingencies in recent history to take part in a National Team tour.

Also making his first trip with the Eagles is Hawaiian born Tolifili (Andre) Liufau. According to his website, Liufau stands at an imposing 6’2” and tips the scales at 317 lbs. A former football standout at the University of Utah, Liufau also spent time playing with the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League in 2008. Since then, he has played for the LA Rugby Club, and is currently playing for l'Uson in France who compete in the Fédérale 1, the top level of the French amateur rugby system.

The Eagles will travel to Kingston to play Canada on June 6.

Eagles 2012 Summer Schedule

USA @ Canada | Richardson Stadium | Kingston, Ontario | June 9, 2012 | Get tickets here!
Georgia @ USA | Infinity Park at Glendale | Glendale, CO | June 16, 2012 | Get tickets here!
Italy @ USA | BBVA Compass Stadium | Houston, TX | June 23, 2012 | Get tickets here!

USA Eagles Traveling Squad:

Forwards
Derek Asbun (Oxford University)
Chris Biller (Northampton)
Todd Clever (NTT Shining Arcs)
Conor Coyne (NYAC)
Brian Doyle (NYAC)
Andrew Durutalo (OPSB/USA Rugby Sevens)
Eric Fry (Wellington Old Boys University)
Tom Katzfey (Life University)
Scott LaValla (StadeFrancais)
Tolifili (Andre) Liufau (l'Uson Rugby)
Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie)
Taylor Mokate (Wellington Old Boys University)
Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)
Louis Stanfill (NYAC)

Backs
Shaun Davies (BYU)
Paul Emerick (London Wasps)
Tai Enosa (USA Rugby Sevens)
Colin Hawley (USA Rugby Sevens)
Will Holder (Army)
Luke Hume (Old Blue)
Seamus Kelly (Cal)
Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique)
James Patterson (Glendale)
Mike Petri (NYAC)
Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates)
Roland Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
Mose Timoteo (SFGG)
Chris Wyles (Saracens)

Injured
Blaine Scully (USA Rugby Sevens)
Toby L'Estrange (NYAC)
Pate Tulievuka (OPSB)

Staff
Mike Tolkin - Head Coach
Tony Smeeth - Backs/Attack Coach
Dan Payne - Forwards/Continuity Coach
Derek Dowling - Scrum Coach
Chris O'Brien - Kicking Coach
Dave Williams - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Paul Goulding - Video Analyst/IT Specialist
Dr. Richard Kim - West Point
Dr. Steven Levin - Canada
Mike Fox - Physiotherapist
Tim Higgins - Physiotherapist
Sarah Sall - Massage Therapist
Tristan Lewis - Manager