Near Full Strength Lineup Returns As Eagles Prepare For Japan

After putting out a relatively green lineup against Fiji, U.S. head coach Mike Tolkin has elected return to a near full strength lineup as his team closes out the Pacific Nations Cup this weekend against Japan. Todd Clever returns as captain after spending the Fiji match on the bench. Scott LaValla also returns in the back-row where Peter Dahl will start once again. Lou Stanfill won't captain the team but he will return at lock. Brian Doyle returns to the starting lineup. In the front row, both Shawn Pittman and Chris Biller come in for Nick Wallace and Zach Fenoglio respectively.

The backs will also see a number of changes. Mike Petri will take over at scrumhalf from Robbie Shaw as Tolkin continues to rotate the players at the position. Toby L'Estrange will once again start at fly-half. He hasn't had the great of matches recently but showed flashes of his play from last November against Fiji. Paterson and Hume return on the wings while Chris Wyles comes in at fullback after spending last match on the bench. Adam Siddall will start at outside center for the second straight match while Andrew Suniula comes back in at inside center.

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The bench is full of players that started last week. Wallace, Fenoglio, and Phil Thiel will provide options in the front row. Cam Dolan and Liam Murphy can fill in on the back row. Shaw, Seamus Kelly, and Blaine Scully are the reserve backs.

Forwards: Shawn Pittman, Chris Biller, Eric Fry, Brian Doyle, Lou Stanfill, Scott LaValla, Peter Dahl, Todd Clever

Backs: Mike Petri, Toby L'Estrange, James Paterson, Andrew Suniula, Adam Siddall, Luke Hume, Chris Wyles

Bench: Nick Wallace, Zach Fenoglio, Phil Thiel, Cam Dolan, Liam Murphy, Robbie Shaw, Seamus Kelly, Blaine Scully

Japan have also named their starting lineup. Many of the players from the team that beat Wales and Canada return. Craig Wing, Michael Broadhurst, and Toshiaki Hirose all return for what should be a very difficult team for the Eagles to beat.

Forwards: Masataka Mikami, Shota Horie, Hiroshi Yamashita, Hitoshi Ono, Shoji Ito, Hendrik Tui, Michael Broadhurst, Takashi Kikutani

Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Harumichi Tatekawa, Kenki Fukuoka, Craig Wing, Male Sau, Toshiaki Hirose, Ayumu Goromaru

Bench: Takeshi Kizu, Yusuke Nagae, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Justin Ives, Atsushi Hiwasa, Yu Tamura, Yoshikazu Fujita.