Larkham leads Schmidt and Cron into two-test Australia A tour of the USA in October

Australia A will travel to the United States for a two-game tour against the USA Eagles in late October, with fixtures scheduled in Nashville, Tennessee, and East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The coaching setup was confirmed two weeks ago and brings together three of Australian rugby’s most prominent figures. Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham leads the ticket, joined by Western Force counterpart Simon Cron and departing Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt — a combination that signals serious intent behind what is nominally a development tour.

The USA, currently ranked 16th in the world, will host the 2031 Rugby World Cup, and the series forms part of a broader push to grow the sport’s footprint across North America. Both fixtures are structured as double-headers alongside the WXV Global Series, with the USA Women’s Eagles hosting Italy and world champions England at the same venues.

“USA Rugby is excited to showcase USA Eagles’ energy in new cities across the United States this October,” said USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren. “We’re thrilled to host the WXV Global Series home games in Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey, and welcome international powerhouses Italy and England for some exciting action.”

Goren added that the men’s matches against Australia A would complement the women’s programme, framing both series as part of the country’s long-term preparation for hosting the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups.

For Schmidt, the tour represents one final assignment before he formally departs the Wallabies head coaching role, while for Larkham — widely regarded as a future Wallabies coach — it offers an early opportunity to work with Australia’s next tier of international talent in a competitive environment.