u/cjreadit7991

I vote yes. USA sent a CRAA squad that gave up 10 points the whole tournament while scoring over 200. What does playing Jamaica, Mexico, Cayman Islands do for development? Go on a tour or train with the USA XV.

U20 and U18 had worthwhile summers so maybe 19s are an afterthought.

Haven’t seen the rosters but usually some MLR guys involved. From the best rugby facility in the Midwest. Sorry Kuntz.

Best quote in Below Deck history?

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.

USA’s coach said that the US is subsidizing Don Besag’s Sharks contract and that they are going to be doing this for other players. Is there any precedent of a national union doing this?

While it’s great to get players into top leagues the top leagues around the world I have doubts that players will get good game time if they couldn’t get contracts on their own merit and not with USA paying part of their salary.

Besag is 21 with 20+ senior caps. He should be getting a contract in France’s 2nd division at worst on merit.

Exciting prospects throughout this roster. It’d be a victory to stay close in any of the pool games but it should be a fun tournament to watch. Could name more but here’s a couple names to keep an eye on:
Spencer Huntley, Cali raised 9 who plays for Hartpury in England. Started over Rudy Schultz award winner Solomon Williams on last years u23 tour.
Papa Matelau. Wrecking ball 8 man who played professionally in Japan this year with Vili Helu.
Gavin Holder, NZ raised and I’ve only seen him play 7s but he was the leading scorer in the Global Youth 7s and is electric.

Games on Paramount. Hopefully they put up replays as the times of these games is very early.

Well you can’t drink out of it.

Rugby Wrap Up had NE’s owner on and he said franchises no longer pay into league ownership. Anyone have more info on this? Franchise fees are what likely kept the league going up until now but with 5 teams (Anthem are assuredly gone) nobody would be likely to pay into the league.