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Uncapped USA U20 captain Huntley earns first Eagles call-up for November Nations Cup

Scrum-half Spencer Huntley, who captained the USA Under-20 side, has been named in a 29-man Eagles squad for November's World Rugby Nations Cup matches against Hong Kong China, Romania, and Georgia.

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Uncapped USA U20 captain Huntley earns first Eagles call-up for November Nations Cup
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Spencer Huntley, the USA Under-20 captain, has been handed his first senior Eagles call-up as coach Scott Lawrence named a 29-man squad for the final phase of the World Rugby Nations Cup in November.

The uncapped scrum-half was previously included in the USA XV environment ahead of a match against an Argentina XV in Miami but did not take the field at Inter Miami FC Stadium. He now has the chance to earn his first Test cap across three fixtures against Hong Kong China — who will make their Rugby World Cup debut in 2027 — Romania, and Georgia, with the Hong Kong China match taking place in France.

Eagles captain Jason Damm returns to lead the side after missing the second USA XV fixture against Australia A in New Jersey, where backrower Marno Redelinghuys deputised as skipper. Redelinghuys, South African-born, retains his place in the squad.

Australian-born prop Charlie Abel is back in the Eagles setup after joining a new club in France’s Pro D2, while Ezekiel Lindenmuth brings experience from New Zealand provincial rugby. Cassh Maluia, who has spent time in the NFL, also features in the selection.

The USA arrive at this November window in strong form, having gone unbeaten through the first block of Nations Cup matches in July. They defeated Portugal — with Chris Hilsenbeck kicking a match-winning penalty — before also beating Zimbabwe and Spain, all three of whom have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

A lengthy injured and unavailable list includes experienced names such as AJ MacGinty, Joe Taufete’e, and David Ainu’u, underlining both the depth Lawrence is attempting to build and the opportunity that presents for players like Huntley to stake an early claim at Test level.

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