USA v Ireland - International match preview
US Eagles have named an experienced squad - including two Barbarians - ahead of their international clash with Ireland.
Last Updated: 08/06/13 9:13am
Flanker Samu Manoa and winger Takudzwa Ngwenya both featured in the Barbarians' matches against England and the British and Irish Lions.
Chris Wyles gets the nod at full-back from coach Mike Tolkin after a successful season with table-topping Saracens in the Aviva Premiership.
Former Super Rugby forward Todd Clever will captain the veteran Eagles side which welcomes Chris Biller and Mike Petri back after sustaining injuries during the National Cup defeat to Canada in May.
Emerging Talent
In contrast Ireland interim coach Lee Kiss has expressed faith in emerging talent ahead of their trip to their trip across the Atlantic.
Full-back Robbie Henshaw and centre Stuart Olding both graduate from the Ireland Under-20s squad to earn their first senior international caps.
Ulster forwards David Kilcoyne and Iain Henderson will make their first starts in Ireland colours having made brief appearances from the bench in previous fixtures. Leinster fly-half Ian Madigan is also awarded a place in the starting XV for the first time as Ireland look to rebuild following a disappointing Six Nations campaign.
Kiss could also hand debuts to forwards Mike Sherry, Jamie Hagan and Tommy O'Donnell who are all included amongst the Ireland replacements.
Ireland enter Saturday's clash with an unblemished record against the United States having won all seven previous encounters between the sides.
USA: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Luke Hume, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 10 Toby L'Estrange, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Todd Clever (capt), 7 Scott LaValla, 6 Samu Manoa, 5 Louis Stanfill, 4 Brian Doyle, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Chris Biller, 1 Shawn Pittman.
Replacements: 16 Zach Fenoglio,
17 Nick Wallace, 18 Phil Thiel, 19 Peter Dahl, 20 John Quill, 21 Robbie Shaw, 22 James Paterson, 23 Adam Siddall.
Ireland: 15 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Stuart Olding, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Peter O'Mahony (capt), 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Jamie Hagan, 18 Tom Court, 19 Dan Tuohy, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Felix Jones.
What they said...
USA head coach Mike Tolkin
"This squad introduces veterans and professionals back into the squad and they're great athletes that bring fresh, new energy. They exude confidence and it resonates within the squad."
Ireland interim coach Lee Kiss
"We've had a good week of preparation and the players have settled well in Houston.
"This is a young team with five players starting for the first time and we are under no illusions as to the challenge posed by an experienced and improving USA Eagles team."
