On Sunday the USA Eagles Men's National Team arrived in the UK for the 2011 Churchill Cup, this is not just an end of season international event for the Eagles, its the first steps in their preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in September.

by Nigel Melville

On Sunday the USA Eagles Men's National Team arrived in the UK for the 2011 Churchill Cup, this is not just an end of season international event for the Eagles, its the first steps in their preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in September.

Eddie O'Sullivan and his coaching staff have with them 28 players all in contention for the final 30, however with a number of players being rested and recovering from in jury their is considerable competition for places and I am sure that those who are playing this weekend against the England Saxons will want to make the best of their opportunity!

England have named a strong side, and their players are also in the hunt for a World Cup place, so the Churchill Cup has plenty at stake this year and should be a great event.

This weekend Coach O'Sullivan will be resting some of his star players who have just finished a long season and require rest before they start their build up to the RWC. It will be interesting to see who steps up to the plate and plays themselves into contention in the coming weeks. There are always surprises at World Cup time, Taku Ngwenya in 2007...say no more!