Our Mission
"Challenging individuals to be their best
in life and sport."
in life and sport."
Since 2002, the USA Rugby Junior National Team Programs have produced 54 players and 26 coaches who have represented the United States at the highest level of international rugby. Across multiple age categories and through philanthropic support, the USA Rugby Junior National Teams provide a step-by-step opportunity for developing players to join the USA Eagle pathway.
Top rugby players within the ages of 16-18 years old and competing in a High School rugby program. Selections for USA Rugby’s U18 assemblies and competitions are made from player identification clinics and combines, in-person and remote scouting around the country, and film submissions from qualified and capable players. All camps and competitions are focused on long-term player development.
Players in XVs who fit within the ages of 19-20 years old and participate in a club or collegiate level rugby program. The U20s participate in formal international competitions such as the U20 Women’s Tri-Nations Cup and U20 Men’s World Rugby Trophy. The U20 program is primarily XVs but is expected to expand in to sevens as World Rugby offers additional opportunity for competition.
Players in XVs or sevens who primarily fit between the ages of 19-23 and participate in a club or collegiate rugby program. U23s assemble at various points through the year for talent identification and development camps which lead to domestic or international games & tours. Players are chosen for an annual selection camp through nominations from their respective college conferences and selection by national team scouts and coaches.
The USA Falcons are developmental teams for the senior men’s and women’s national teams in sevens and XVs. Games contested at the Falcons level do not count for international caps or rankings points and are not considered test matches. However, once players compete with a Falcons team in XVs, they are committed to the USA.
The teams serve as a support to the senior Women’s and Men’s Eagles by building depth in the player pools for both programs and exposing new waves of players to international competition. Falcons competitions also provide more playing time for current national team players; streamlining the transition of new players to the senior programs with interaction between various experience levels. The USA Falcons are equivalent in competition level to Academy or A sides of other national rugby unions.
Prior to March of 2020, development teams for the senior national sides in XVs were formerly known as Selects.
MEN’S U18, U20 & U23 • MEN’S EAGLES SEVENS CAPTAIN • 2016 RIO OLYMPICS • RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS 2018 SAN FRANCISCO
In 2010, Hughes earned U18 honors which would be followed by U20 and U23 selections in subsequent years. In 2012, he helped the Men’s U20s win the World Rugby Junior World Trophy and added a RugbyTown Sevens Cup title the following year. In 2014, he made his Eagles Sevens debut in New Zealand and from there went on to become the top points scorer at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season and was Player of the Tournament at the 2015 London Sevens where the USA won their first ever Cup title. In 2016, Hughes was selected to Captain Team USA’s squad for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and continues to assume the leading role with the Men’s Eagles Sevens today.
Henrich began playing rugby at 6 years old where she was able to keep up with high school rugby players her mother coached at Orchard High School. During high school, her team won four New York State Championships and she was named MVP for all four matches. She is the youngest player to be named to a Women’s U18 team and captained the East High School All-Americans in 2016. Henrich has since earned 8 caps with the USA Eagles, her first coming against New Zealand during The Rugby Weekend 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
WOMEN’S U18 & U20 • SUPER SERIES 2019 SAN DIEGO
WOMEN’S U20 & U23 | RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS 2018 SAN FRANCISCO | RUGBY WORLD CUP 2017 IRELAND
Exploding on the rugby scene with BYU in 2011, Matyas has astounded coaches, teammates and audiences with a diverse set of rugby abilities. A Junior National Team alum, Matyas was one of only seven collegiate players named to compete in the 2015 Super Series, earning her first cap with the Women’s National Team XVs. Matyas soon caught the attention of the Women’s Eagles Sevens and made her HSBC Series debut during the 2017 Japan Sevens and has remained with the program ever since.
Pittman became the ninth-youngest Men’s Eagle when he made his debut against Uruguay at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on November 8, 2008. He appeared in 30 matches for the United States with 23 starts, including all four Rugby World Cup 2011 matches. Pittman has since joined the coaching staff with the Men’s Eagles as a Forwards Coach, leading the team to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
USA U18 & U20 • 2011 & 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP • MEN’S EAGLES FORWARDS COACH • UTAH WARRIORS FORWARDS COACH
