Former SVNS star Lance Williams earns USA Eagles debut against Zimbabwe in Nations Cup

California Legion backrower Lance Williams will make his USA Men’s Eagles Test debut at blindside flanker when the Eagles face Zimbabwe at Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium on July 11, in the second round of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup.

Williams, who has represented the USA on the HSBC SVNS Series and played club rugby for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby, has been handed a starting berth as the Eagles look to back up a dramatic 30-29 victory over Portugal last weekend.

Head coach Scott Lawrence has made a series of changes to that winning side. Alex Maughan comes in at hooker to replace Kapeli Pifeleti, while a forced alteration on the wing sees Rufus McLean miss out through injury. Conner Mooneyham — the first-ever number one pick in MLR Draft history — takes the right wing spot in his place.

Williams and Makeen Alikhan join Cory Daniel in the loose forwards, while the rest of the team is largely settled. Captain Jason Damm partners Nathan Den Hoedt in the second row, with Jack Iscaro set for his 20th Eagles appearance at loosehead prop alongside Maughan and tighthead Tonga Kofe.

The half-back pairing of Ruben De Haas and Chris Hilsenbeck — who kicked a long-range match-winner against Portugal — retains its place, with Dominic Besag and Tavite Lopeti continuing in midfield. Perry Mayo and Mooneyham provide the wing options outside them, and Mitch Wilson is retained at fullback.

“We now know the priority areas where we need to improve, and our attention is now fully on next week’s performance against a talented team and staff from Zimbabwe,” Lawrence said.

The bench includes three players with two or fewer Eagles appearances: Mason Pedersen, Brandon Harvey, and Julian Roberts. The fixture brings together two sides that have already secured qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, adding further context to what is a historic first meeting between the two nations.