Heading into the first leg of its Rugby World Cup Qualifier series, the USA men's national team is putting its five-game winning streak against Canada and chance to make history to the test on Saturday at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.

The Eagles have never won the Americas 1 spot for a Rugby World Cup, whether it was a one-off game, a series with several teams, or a two-game playoff with Canada. However, since losing to the Canadians in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Qualifier Series, the USA has marched to five straight wins over its rivals.

Along with a top qualifier spot for Tokyo 2019 at stake, the Eagles are also looking to send captain Todd Clever out on a high note. The USA's all-time caps leader announced this week that he is retiring from international rugby after the series' second leg on July 1 in San Diego, CA.

Meanwhile, Canada will be led by lock Brett Beukeboom, while longtime captain Aaron Carpenter, who broke Al Charon's all-time caps record last week, is on the bench. Canada has some serious stars in the backline, including Taylor Paris, Ciaran Hearn, and the speedy DTH Van der Merwe. Up front, Tyler Ardron is at No. 8 and should bring some major physicality. Earlier this year, hooker Ray Barkwill admonished his team for its inability to make tackles.

"At some point it comes down to putting guys on the ground," he said. And that certainly will be a plan for the Canadians.

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For the USA, the focus heading into the series is set piece, set piece, set piece. In open field, the Eagles have looked dangerous, especially with the electric Mike Te'o launching counter attacks from fullback. After coming under some criticism for slow service at the base of the ruck, scrumhalf Nate Augspurger returns in the No. 9 jersey.

But the real news is in the tight five, where Paddy Ryan is getting his first USA start, and one figures it has to be for his scrum work (given that Ryan did not look too spry around the field in a 55-19 loss Ireland on June 10). The second row is picked partly for size, with Ben Landry partnering with Nic Civetta. With Landry, Civetta, Clever, John Quill, and Can Dolan, the USA has a wealth of options in the lineout but will need to scrum better than the team did in its 21-17 loss to Georgia this past Saturday. (A week prior, Canada lost 13-0 to those same Lelos.)

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The backs are in flux, but hard-working Ryan Matyas earns a spot on the wing. The center pairing of Marcel Brache and Bryce Campbell is relatively new but it's tough and strong on defense.

USA Lineup vs. Canada

1. Tony Purpura
2. James Hilterbrand
3. Paddy Ryan
4. Ben Landry
5. Nick Civetta
6. Todd Clever (C)
7. John Quill
8. Cam Dolan
9. Nate Augspurger
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Matai Leuta
12. Marcel Brache
13. Bryce Campbell
14. Ryan Matyas
15. Mike Te'o

RESERVES
16. Peter Malcolm
17. Ben Tarr
18. Dino Waldren
19. Matthew Jensen
20. David Tameilau
21. Andrew Durutalo
22. Shaun Davies
23. Ben Cima

Canada Lineup vs. USA

1. Djustice Sears-Duru
2. Ray Barkwill
3. Jake Ilnicki
4. Brett Beukeboom (C)
5. Evan Olmstead
6. Admir Cejvanovic
7. Matt Heaton
8. Tyler Ardron
9. Phil Mack
10. Shane O'Leary
11. Taylor Paris
12. Connor Braid
13. DTH van der Merwe
14. Andrew Coe
15. Ciaran Hearn

RESERVES 
16. Benoit Piffero
17. Anthony Luca
18. Matt Tierney
19. Kyle Baillie
20. Aaron Carpenter
21. Gordon McRorie
22. Nick Blevins
23. Dan Moor