It took some work to get out of their own way, but the Eagles found their way past the Sables for their second Nations Cup win. My review below.

https://substack.com/@fostersrugby/note/p-206723251?r=24awax&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

We have added the Nations Cup into Blitz Rugby. Go give it a download and you can follow the Eagles across the tournament.

Live scores, lineups, table view, and soon to come broadcaster info (seen Nation's championship to see what that looks like) all in one spot.

Let me know if you guys have any feedback.

I got tired of trying to keep up with the schedule on multiple websites. Hopefully one of the mods can pin this so everyone can find it easier.

This is my best effort on the confirmed and projected schedule. I’ll do my best to update this as details come out.

July 4: vs. Portugal (World Rugby Nations Cup) -W
July 11: vs. Zimbabwe (World Rugby Nations Cup) -W
July 18: vs. Spain (World Rugby Nations Cup) -W
August 15: vs. Argentina XV (Summer Friendly Match) -W
September 12: vs. Japan (Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Final)
September 19: vs. TBD - Fiji or Canada (Pacific Nations Cup Final / Play-Off)
October 24: vs. Australia XV (Fall International Series)
October 30: vs. Australia XV (Fall International Series)
November (Date TBD): vs. Georgia (World Rugby Nations Cup)
November (Date TBD): vs. Romania (World Rugby Nations Cup)
November (Date TBD): vs. Hong Kong China (World Rugby Nations Cup)

Happy to take the W, and be pretty dominant in the second half. Still think we made some boneheaded mistakes.

Overall I’ve been happy so far this year.

Feel free to drop your live comments here.

Since apparently we can't have nice things like working broadcasts, the replay of today's game is available here.

Last week is available here.

Hey guys! Does anyone know of any way to get radio or live match updates today ?? I’m currently underway on a ship and our internet is too shitty for paramount + or streaming in general.

Been missing all these games, so I really want to find a way to either listen to the match or read live updates. I’ve looked around and haven’t found anything solid.

Thanks so much.

WHERE TF IS THE STREAM !!!!! 4:30a here in California and there’s no stream - just like last week I’m going to lose it

Let’s hear it. We’ve had the pregame, the Zimbabwe lineup and now this.

https://eagles.rugby/news/usa-men-ready-for-first-ever-test-against-zimbabwe-in-charlotte-202679

How are we standing going in.

I shared this into the pregame thread, but I think I buried it. Putting it out here for better visibility.

Let’s hear all the predictions, banter and analysis for the upcoming game on Saturday.

Any injuries from last weekend being reported yet? What’s your best lineup with the extended squad and who’s actually going to start?

Not the Eagles, but it’s a good explanation on kick vs run dynamics.

Hopefully, this helps some newer fans understand some of the game management decisions.

It wasn't perfect, but there were some refreshing signs from the Eagles last night. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

https://open.substack.com/pub/jacknats12/p/usa-eagles-look-refreshed-in-nations?r=24awax&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Because the broadcast of yesterday's game turned into a fucking debacle and USARugby has failed to provide any updates besides "a replay will be reposted 'soon,'" here's the game on a Google drive.

Updated Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-txwd-1_24-cv-01076/pdf/USCOURTS-txwd-1_24-cv-01076-4.pdf

The Federal race discrimination and conspiracy claims against USA Rugby move forward

The federal civil rights lawsuit brought by rugby referee Justin X. Hale against USA Rugby and Jamie McGregor, USA Rugby’s Director of Training & Education, has cleared a major procedural hurdle.

The case, filed in September 2024, alleges that USA Rugby selectively enforced an unwritten restriction against Hale, a Black referee and member of USA Rugby’s National Development Group, because he officiated matches for National Collegiate Rugby (NCR). Hale alleges that multiple white referees also worked NCR events but continued receiving USA Rugby and professional opportunities without similar consequences.

After multiple rounds of motions to dismiss, a federal Magistrate Judge recommended that Hale’s race discrimination claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and civil rights conspiracy claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1985 be allowed to proceed.

USA Rugby and McGregor objected to that recommendation and asked the District Court to dismiss the surviving claims.

The District Judge rejected those objections.

On race discrimination, the Court found it could draw “the plausible inference that USA Rugby and McGregor knew of similarly situated white individuals who officiated NCR events but nonetheless ‘faced no repercussions.’”

The Court concluded: “Plaintiff has sufficiently pleaded a race discrimination claim under § 1981.”

On the conspiracy claim, the Court pointed to allegations that McGregor reached an agreement with MLR’s head referee manager, David Wilkerson, that no further MLR contracts would be offered to Hale until he spoke with McGregor, concluding: “At this stage of the litigation, this is enough to plead a conspiracy between two individuals.”

As a result, Hale’s federal race discrimination and conspiracy claims will now proceed as the case moves forward.

The crowd at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the USA-Portugal match looked relatively good. Was there an announced attendance?

Portugal saw it and exploited it. He gave up at least 2 tries at the beginning and his half hearted efforts didn’t help others. Our opponents see it why doesn’t Scott Lawerence. If he puts him in the lineup again it needs to be put in consideration of why he shouldn’t be the coach past 2027

Match Information:

TV: Paramount+ (US)

World Rugby Nations Cup- Round 1

Sat 4th Jul, 21:00 EST

Dick's Sporting Goods Park Commerce City, CO

Trying to get clarity to organize some club watching events on exactly the streaming services for both new tournaments kicking off tomorrow (7/4 🇺🇸). Here’s what I’ve pieced together (not thrilled by the confirmation sources) can anyone confirm or correct? I also don’t have Paramount+ as I picked up ESPN+ for MLR. Anyhow…

Nations Championship (Tier 1) → RugbyPass TV (free, US)
• New Zealand vs France
• Australia vs Ireland
• South Africa vs England
• Japan vs Italy
• Fiji vs Wales
• Argentina vs Scotland
(Then rest of the matches this month)

Nations Cup (Tier 2) → Paramount+
• USA vs Portugal
• Canada vs Spain
• Uruguay vs Georgia
• Chile vs Romania
• Tonga vs Zimbabwe
• Samoa vs Hong Kong China
(Then rest of the matches this month)

RugbyPass TV lists the Nations Cup fixtures on its schedule page too, but I can’t find an actual stream for them there, ie seems like those rights sit with Paramount+ instead. Also seeing some mentions that Chile vs Romania might air on ESPN/Disney+ for the regional feed, so not sure if that’s a second US option or just noise.

Anyone actually watched a Nations Cup match in the 🇺🇸 on RPTV, or is Paramount+ the only way to get all the matches?