MacGinty handed summer rest as USA name Nations Cup squad without injured fly-half

AJ MacGinty will not feature in the USA’s Nations Cup campaign this summer after the Bristol Bears fly-half was named among 16 players listed as ‘returning to play’ in the squad announced by head coach Lawrence. The 35-year-old, America’s second-highest points scorer with 43 caps, made just one appearance in nine months after suffering an Achilles injury in Bristol’s opening Premiership fixture against Leicester last season.

MacGinty returned briefly for the Bears’ penultimate league game against Bath, but with so little rugby under his belt, USA Rugby opted to give their most decorated playmaker the summer off rather than risk a setback ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Also conspicuous by his absence is Jack Walsh, the Florida-born, Australia-raised fly-half and full-back who impressed for the Ospreys in the URC this season. Walsh has since signed a two-year deal with French side Montauban, and his inclusion on the unavailable list has raised hopes among US Rugby supporters that he is firmly in the Eagles’ long-term plans. Walsh would have qualified for Wales on residency grounds but appears to have chosen the American pathway.

The 31-man squad will assemble in Denver this week ahead of Nations Cup fixtures against Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain. Despite the absences of MacGinty and experienced campaigners Joe Taufete’e and Sean McNulty, the group includes seven uncapped players.

“July is about bringing our core playing group and new coaching staff together for the first time in seven months,” said Lawrence. “With limited preparation time before facing a Portugal side that has already spent significant time together this year and is coming off a successful European campaign, our focus will be on establishing the foundations of our identity and developing to perform in the key moments that decide Test matches.”

Lawrence also framed the window as the opening chapter of a longer project. “Our leadership group understands that July is the first step in a 13-match journey through 2026. This squad reflects the players we believe are best positioned for this window, while others will continue their preparation through injury management, targeted development opportunities, and competitive match exposure before joining the Eagles later in the year.”

For MacGinty, widely regarded as the finest American player of his generation, the priority is now a full pre-season and an injury-free run into the World Cup cycle — a tournament where Walsh could yet emerge as his heir apparent at fly-half.