Australian-born MLR champion Charlie Abel set for USA Eagles debut at 34

Charlie Abel will earn his first USA Eagles cap at the age of 34 after being named among the replacements for the United States’ World Rugby Nations Cup fixture against Spain at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on 19 July. The tighthead prop’s selection caps a remarkable journey from Australian club rugby to the top of the American game.

Australian-born Abel came through the ranks at the NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels before moving to the United States, where he won the 2021 MLR Championship with the LA Giltinis. He has spent the last four seasons with the Chicago Hounds, adding a second title last month when Chicago completed an undefeated season by defeating the California Legion 35-17 in the final on 22 June.

Abel is not the only Chicago title-winner to benefit from that success. Fellow Australian Nathan Den Hoedt, who debuted for the Eagles earlier in the Nations Cup and has already scored his first Test try, retains his place in the starting second row for a third international appearance.

Jason Damm captains the side from No. 8, flanked by in-form backrowers Cory Daniel and Paddy Ryan. Daniel has crossed for tries in both of the USA’s Nations Cup matches so far, with the Eagles having beaten Rugby World Cup-bound sides Portugal and Zimbabwe in their opening fixtures.

Jack Iscaro starts at loosehead alongside 22-cap hooker Kapeli Pifeleti and tighthead Tonga Kofe, while Brandon Harvey partners Den Hoedt in the second row. In the backs, scrum-half Ruben De Haas is set to win his 47th cap, combining with Chris Hilsenbeck at half-back for the third consecutive Test. Dominic Besag and Julian Roberts form the midfield partnership, with Perry Mayo and Mark O’Keeffe on the wings and Mitch Wilson at full-back.

Conner Mooneyham, the first-ever number one pick in MLR Draft history, has been ruled out with an injury, while Lance Williams drops out of the matchday 23 after earning his first Test cap the previous week.