Take one look at the USA backs slated to go to Europe this month and what you'll see are playmakers.

This is a function of what the Eagles have in their player pool, but it's worth noting that you could put out an entire backline consisting of guys who have logged a ton of time at flyhalf or scrumhalf. 

That's something of a departure from USA Rugby history, which has generally welcomed athletes to the backline but not necessarily players who can direct the attack.

Gross generalizations aside, here's a look at the USA backs and why those guys were picked in the upcoming Tests against Germany on Nov. 18 and Georgia on Nov. 25:

Scrumhalf

There remains a battle for first pick at scrumhalf. Nate Augspurger provides a bit of an open-field spark, but Shaun Davies is perhaps a little more consistent and can also provide cover as a goalkicker.

This is one position that could see a big shakeup when Gary Gold takes over as head coach. Maybe that's just some history talking, but it seems that one of the USA's biggest issues in the game is quick ball, and the guy with a No. 9 on his jersey might get the blame for that. There are several other talented young scrumhalves out there, and we will see them in the near future.

(Mike Te'o can play scrumhalf, too, although he's better suited to fullback or wing.)

Both Davies and Augspurger have played wing for the Eagles, and it seemed like for a while that John Mitchell was looking at Augspurger as a long-term option at the position. Regardless, that versatility is a great way to keep yourself in the game-day 23.

Flyhalf

The conversation begins and ends with AJ MacGinty. His goalkicking has been very strong. He can play defense, and he's a smart reader of the game. But the No. 1 chunk of usefulness he has is his ability to snake through the gainline and turn defenses around. 

MacGinty's running ability complete changes how the Eagles can attack. You can work passes before the gainline — of course any team wants to do that — but if you're able to cut through and then get the ball moving, defenses are in trouble.

Will Magie is a smooth, cerebral outside half with excellent kicking skills. He's not quite the runner MacGinty is, but what he concentrates on is making other players the focus of the attack... in a good way.

There's no Ben Cima this time around, and he's something of a hybrid of the two previously mentioned Eagles... Cima is working toward being like MacGinty. JP Eloff has been a flyhalf before, and he and Marcel Brache at inside center would operate as a second five-eighth — more of a New Zealand approach. Conversely, you could put Eloff at fullback and Brache at outside center or wing and run somebody bigger on the inside, such as...

Center

Bryce Campbell. The great thing about Campbell is he's not just a big body. Campbell can be your quintessential battering ram, but he's got the passing skills and the understanding of how to use his support to play outside center, too. 

So bust him through at No. 12 or use the double-playmaker lineup and make him the finisher at No. 13.

Brache is flexible, too, and has started to warm to his job within the team. Josh Whippy was selected as a wing, but certainly he can play center. In fact, the BYU star was chosen because he showed the power and physicality the Eagles think an outside back — center or wing — will need on this trip to Europe. Some might have wanted Tim Maupin to be selected, and certainly Maupin played very well in the Americas Pacific Challenge. But Whippy's size got him the nod.

Wing and Fullback

We have to combine this because almost everyone who plays wing might be asked to play fullback. In fact, we've got centers who can play wing, so it's all a rich tapestry.

Blaine Scully is an excellent player and one of the team's best leaders. He can play fullback, but really he's best on the wing because he knows how to create scoring opportunities out of very little. 

Mike Te'o can play pretty much anywhere but is at his best on the wing. Despite his lack of height, he's very useful in the air because he has no fear and just goes up for the ball.

Whippy, mentioned above, provides a wide range of skills and some physicality. Ryan Matyas is a good finisher and very aggressive. Eloff might be a good first choice at fullback because he has good kicking skills — something Te'o still needs to improve upon.

Overall

This entire backline is versatile, and because of that it could be difficult to figure out. With new coaches and new oversight, how do the pieces all fit together (that is, once you install MacGinty at No. 10 and Scully at No. 14)? Do you go with ball skills and sacrifice size? Do you try to control things physically? How much do you need to worry about kicking? 

These are all difficult decisions the Eagles have just a few days to work out.

USA Backs To Face Germany On Nov. 18: