The old American Super-power rival will grace the city of Denver, when Russia takes on the USA Eagles this summer.
On April 27, USA Rugby confirmed a match against Russia to open the 2018 Emirates Airlines Summer Series. This match underlines an already solid international window in June, that also includes matches against Scotland and Canada.
The USA Eagles will look to start their Summer Internationals schedule on the right foot in Denver, before going down to Texas to face Scotland.
USA general manager Dave Hodge said that, “with the Russian test being the first of the summer series, it will be critical that we get our preparation right.
“It is imperative that we get right back to the form we ended the ARC with.”
USAvRUS Rugby Union test history
This meeting will be the eighth match between the two sides. The series has been historically dominated by the USA Eagles, winning all seven of their previous encounters. These two teams last met during the 2016 summer, with the Eagles absolutely dominating the Russian Bears, winning 25-0.
In that match, AJ MacGinty was in sublime form, scoring 20 of the Eagles 25 points. The United States is currently four positions above Russia on the world rankings at 15th, to Russia’s 19th placing.
Russia was unable to secure a position for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, finishing third in the 2018 European Champions Cup. Their only remaining opportunity for qualification will be through the ‘repechage tournaments’. Gladly, the USA Eagles qualified for the RWC last summer; when defeating Canada in a home-and-away series.
Gary Gold continues to ‘get a feel’ for his team.
USA Eagles head coach Gary Gold made his debut with an impressive Americas Rugby Championship, winning all 5 matches. As head coach, he lead the Eagles to delivering Argentina XV their first defeat in the history of the competition.
Even with that, Gold is still new to the position and must use all opportunities to prepare for the RWC next year. The match against Russia may provide another opportunity to get younger players more experience.
The Summer Series is finally set for the United States and the road to the 2019 Rugby World Cup continues.
USA Eagles vs Russia
Sat, June 9 | 6 PM MT
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Denver, CO
“Main Photo Credit”
Embed from Getty Images
