WREXHAM, Wales – USA Rugby Under-20 Men’s National Team Head Coach Salty Thompson has named the 22 players in his lineup against Fiji in the playoff round at the IRB Junior World Championships on Wednesday, June 18 at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.

The Junior Eagles head into the match following a 41-14 loss at the hands of Scotland on June 14, while Fiji was dealt a 17-10 defeat by Canada. Both teams finished 0-3 in their respective pool rounds, with the USA facing stiff opposition from South Africa and Samoa and Fiji competing against England and Australia in it earlier matches.
 
“The Junior Eagles have learned a lot of hard lessons in the first three games.  Poor decisions, missed tackles or turnovers are punished ruthlessly with points.  We are playing better rugby but the quality of the opposition remains high,” Thompson said.  “USA Rugby’s past interim CEO and IRB Match Commissioner Steve Griffiths complimented us on playing much improved rugby since the World Juniors in Belfast last year.” 
 
“Fiji has played entertaining running rugby in their pool games against England, Australia and Canada. They present a challenge similar to Samoa with fast talented runners who spread the field and look for offloads in the tackle. We need to make our tackles, and counter their game with defensive pressure and structure,” Thompson added. 
 
The U.S. U-20 Team includes:
15. Tim Moxness (University of Arizona)
14. Adam Ducoing (Louisiana State)
13. Thretton Palamo (Biarritz, France)
12. Nate Ebner (Ohio State University)
11. Zach Test (University of Oregon)
10. Sean Treacy (Clontarf , Ireland)
9. Steven Sablan (PAC)
1. Stevie Johnston (Tempe Rugby)
2. Bill Wynne (ASU)
3. Shawn Pittman (Golden Gate)
4. Kevin Erskine (Tempe, Ariz.)
5. Scott Lavalla (Trinity College) Captain
6. Liam Murphy (Young Munster – Ireland)
7. Barry Sheehan (Young Munster – Ireland)
8. Taylor Mokate (Univ. of Oklahoma)

Replacements
16. Ryan Fitcher (Arizona State University)
17. Max Paganini (Purdue)
18. Teddy Barron (Harvard, Mass.)
19. Scott Metcalf (University of Utah)
20. Austin Cella (Garryowen, Ireland)
21. Gareth Jones (Temple, Univ.)
22. Ty Siceloff (Bristol University)

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