The ongoing theme in the USA men's 15s team since John Mitchell took over has been inconsistency of selections.

Mitchell assumed the head coach job in January 2016, and since then the USA has played 15 games (12 of them full test matches, plus two games against an Argentina XV and one against the New Zealand Maori). In those 15 games, the Eagles have used 76 players. That's a pretty huge number. It means they have fielded an entirely new starting lineup after every three games.

It's been a concern, for sure. How can you create a cohesive team if you're chopping and changing every time?

Well, Mitchell was pretty clear about it. He wanted to see some players and test some players. He also wasn't in control of overseas pro clubs restricting player availability, and he wasn't in control of injuries. But now? Now is different.

All along, Mitchell said he wanted to see which players would put their hands up for the World Cup qualifiers. Every time he was interviewed about the games and the players, his focus was on the World Cup qualifiers and booking the Eagles' spot for Japan 2019 as early as possible.

In the recent announcement of the USA squad to play Ireland, Georgia, and Canada, Mitchell rightly decided that if you're not available for all four games, why bother? While they are important rankings test matches, Ireland (June 10) and Georgia (June 17) are really just preparation for the two-game series against Canada on June 24 and July 1. Mitchell has to get a team vibe going. He can't have a player start in one game and not be around for the others.

With that said, here's a look at the 30 players selected and how they fit into each position group:

Props:

Chris Baumann, Titi Lamositele, Anthony Purpura, Benn Tarr, Dino Waldren

Baumann and Lamositele are the front-runners. Baumann was my pick for MVP of the ARC, and Lamositele is a seasoned pro now. Purpura and Tarr showed well in the ARC, and Waldren -- formerly of Saint Mary's -- is a talent. These guys can scrum, and they can cover the field. Shifting the lineup around has helped Mitchell find out that Purpura can still bring it. So there's some depth (don't forget that Taufete'e can also play prop) and security there.

Hookers:

James Hilterbrand, Peter Malcolm, Joe Taufete'e

All three can play, and this will actually be a battle. Taufete'e has been playing with Worcester in England, and he's done well there. 

Locks:

Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Martin Jensen, Ben Landry

Mitchell was forced to make some shifts around at lock because of injuries and experimenting a little. The result, after all those changes, is the realization that Nick Civetta knows what he's doing and can hold down things in the lineout and that Nate Brakeley will give you a full 80 minutes. Mitchell has got a ton of depth here, too.

Loose Forwards:

Todd Clever, Cam Dolan, Andrew Durutalo, Tony Lamborn, John Quill, David Tameilau

David Tameilau was rushed too early last year and was pinged hard for his lack of fitness. But the experience, and playing with a pro team, has him back in the fold. All of these other guys are seasoned pros. Dolan and Tameilau can also play lock. It's a really nice group and the one area where moving around game to game won't affect the team much. Do we have a natural No. 8? Not sure. Tameilau and Dolan seem to fit that bill. The absence of Danny Barrett is a shame, and Samu Manoa is also missing, of course.

Scrumhalves:

Nate Augspurger, Shaun Davies

Augspurger is the front-runner here, as he has been playing really well, but he's been playing well at wing, so that could open up some flexibility. Davies deserves to be back here, and his goalkicking adds value. Madison Hughes or Mike Te'o are good backups. This is a solid situation that 18 months ago was a massive question mark.

Flyhalves:

Ben Cima, AJ MacGinty, Will Magie

Most would say MacGinty is your No. 1 man, but Mitchell also experimented with MacGinty at No. 12 and Cima at No. 10. All have done really good things. Cima is as stone-cold clutch as any goalkicker you could want. 

Centers:

Bryce Campbell, Martin Iosefo

These two are excellent. Mitchell put Campbell in at center and forgot about him, and that was great for Campbell and great for the USA team. Several others could slot in here (MacGinty, Brache, Matyas, Te'o).

Outside Backs:

Marcel Brache, Madison Hughes, Luke Hume, Ryan Matyas, Mike Te'o

This is still a massive question. Blaine Scully in this group would make things so much more secure. You might see Cima in at fullback, too. Handling the opposition kicking game has been an issue for the USA. Of all of the positions that Mitchell has experimented with, wing and fullback are the least settled. Augspurger looked pretty good against some of the ARC opposition. He could be here, too.

Thretton Palamo, Folau Niua, Taku Ngwenya, Danny Barrett, Blaine Scully (injured), and Samu Manoa (injured) would all add to this team, but again, rather than wait and wait for one more piece of the puzzle, Mitchell has said this is the team. This is the full picture. It is exactly the attitude he has to take right now.