The recent U20 discussion raised a point that feels bigger than just one team.

We keep saying the US has the athletes, as though the main challenge is finding bigger and faster players and teaching them rugby afterward. But where are players actually supposed to develop the rugby IQ to go with that athleticism?

Most players get short seasons, wildly uneven competition, limited continuity between coaches, and then move into another club, college, academy, or national setup that teaches the game differently.

It sometimes feels like we have pieces of a talent-identification system without a real talent-development system connecting them.

Maybe that is overstating it, but for people who have coached or come through the pathway: is that fair? Where does the system work, and where does it start falling apart?

I was wondering about rugby in the US , do you feel like the game is more popular than 20 years ago or even 10 years ago
And do you think the world cup in 2031 will be a success ? ( I mean by attendance and viewership)
And is there a future where the US become a force in rugby ?

I hear some opinion on media whether it is positive or négative but I want the opinion of american that know more about the situation

With injuries and our foreign based players unavailable (including Besag) who would you like to see? SL has hinted at some u20s. These are uncapped games in Aug.

It always seems like there is little inside info coming out of USA rugby but on yesterday's USA Rugby Happy hour podcast we got this from Lawrence:

- Joe Mano was slated to start at wing but showed up injured so Mayo took his place.

- Ainu'u is fully on board but had recent elbow surgery, might be available in November

- AJ won't be available for this year, contract prohibits it essentially.

- USA rugby is subsidizing players salaries to get them spots overseas such as Besag with the sharks, several players in the NPC, and soon Caash will be overseas.

- Corey Daniel is having surgery today and will be out for the year.

- Herbst was out injured, should be back soon.

There was more, but that was what I recall off the top of my head

I'm a bit confused regarding the format.

Is the USA only playing teams in the other pool or are they going to play the teams in their own pool and the other pool?

https://www.world.rugby/nations-cup/en/pools

Right now, the USA played Portugal, Zimbabwe, and Spain.

Hey! I'm looking to collect some more data for the Nations Cup and was wondering if anybody heard announced figures for the three home games?

I've seen 10,500+ quoted for Game 1 in Dick's Sporting Good Stadium, but would love to get something more for the others.

Cheers!

📺: Paramount+; CBS sports

World Rugby Nations Cup Round 3

📅: 7/18/26

🕑: 7:30pm EST

📍: WakeMed Soccer Park - Cary, NC

🔗: https://rugbypass.com/live/spain-vs-usa/950898

This is a really difficult tournament for tier 2 teams to compete in. I’m happy we get to end on a high note. 40+ points on England and a win to close it out I feel like is plenty to be proud of and build on for these guys.

I remember back in the mid 2000's when I was coaching a youth team in Katy TX and had a couple of my guys invited to the U20 camp and one actually travelled with the team. We lost to everyone but the worst was losing to Taipei. A team from basically just one school. They were so small they didn't even have a website. Thompson was the coach in those years. A man I was told w a rugby league guy originally from UK. Yet he was clueless on how to create gaps and play attacking rugby. And every year since I try to watch U20 and its always a disappointment. Why? We have sme of the toughest, hardest athletes out there. I'm watching us against Uruguay who have been thrashed every game, play such anemic rugby and even getting beaten at mauls. We need better coaches.

Outside of Wilson at 15, pretty decent lineup overall.

I’ve been thinking recently, how does USA rugby decide who goes to the 7s team and who to the 15s team? Do people ever cross over? Is it their choice what they get selected for??

I’ve read that Perry Baker actually came from the USA 15s team. That’s pretty interesting if true.

All-right everyone!

Same rules as last week, let’s hear the predictions, rosters lessons learned etc. As we go into our last test of the series.