The USA men's 15s national team has announced its roster for the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship under new coach Gary Gold.

The Eagles are the defending champs of this 2-year-old competition, going 4-0-1 in 2017 to edge Argentina's non-cap XV for the title.

This year, the USA will open up the event with three games at home — Feb. 3 in Carson, CA; Feb. 10 in Sacramento, CA; and Feb. 17 in Stockton, CA. The Eagles then finish on the road against Brazil on Feb. 24 and Uruguay on March 3.

After winning the ARC, the USA team built on that run with a series victory over Canada in July to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. But two close losses to Georgia (one at home, one away) and a loss to Ireland marred what was a solid 2017 for the Eagles. The USA also beat Germany to finish the year 5-3 in full tests.

Among those players leading the way last year were prop Chris Baumann, wing Mike Te'o, center Bryce Campbell, and scrumhalf/wing Nate Augspurger on a squad that saw plenty of shifts thanks to the changing availability of overseas professionals.

That's not going to change this year, although one or two overseas players are available. Gold has gone young when he can and has some new faces on the squad.

"I think we have an exciting group of players who are keen to perform at the ARC and put themselves forward as strong options for the program moving forward," Gold said.

The 39-man squad includes two Rudy Scholz Award winners in Dylan Audsley and Campbell. Former NFL player Paul Lasike is also on the squad, as is recent University of Washington football standout Psalm Wooching.

The Eagles roster includes overseas pros Nick Civetta (lock), Blaine Scully (fullback), Tony Lamborn (flanker), James Hilterbrand (hooker), Joe Taufete'e (hooker), and Marcal Brache (center), as well as newcomer Will Hooley of the Bedford Blues in the UK.

Titi Lamositele, out with a neck injury much of 2017, is on the squad and the Saracens prop will be a welcome addition.

Notable also is the inclusion of young Ruben de Haas, not that far removed from playing for the High School All-Americans and who has been with the Cheetahs Academy in South Africa.

Here is the full roster.

USA Men’s Eagles Roster | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship

Titi Lamositele | Saracens | Prop

James Hilterbrand | Manly Marlins | Hooker

Dino Waldren | London Scottish | Prop

Nick Civetta | Newcastle Falcons | Lock

Nate Augspurger | Old Blue | Scrumhalf

Tony Purpura | Old Blue | Prop

Dylan Fawsitt | Old Blue | Hooker

Cam Dolan | Old Blue | No. 8

Ben Landry | Glendale Raptors | Lock

Shaun Davies | Glendale Raptors | Scrumhalf

Bryce Campbell | Glendale Raptors | Center

Will Magie | Glendale Raptors | Fly half

Patrick Ryan | Austin Elite | Prop

Hanco Germishuys | Austin Elite | No. 8

Peter Malcolm | Austin Elite | Hooker

Ryan Matyas | San Diego Legion | Wing

Mike Te’o | San Diego Legion | Fullback

Dylan Audsley | San Diego Legion | Inside Center

Josh Whippy | Utah Warriors | Wing

Paul Lasike | Utah Warriors | Center

Matt Jensen | Utah Warriors | Lock

Angus Maclellan | Chicago Lions | Prop

Aladdin Schirmer | Seattle Seawolves | Flanker

Psalm Wooching | Seattle Saracens | Flanker

Tony Lamborn | Hawkes Bay | Flanker

Marcel Brache | Western Force/Perth Spirit | Center

Blaine Scully | Cardiff Blues | Fullback 

Joe Taufete’e | Worcester Warriors | Hooker

Huluholo Moungaloa | Life West | Prop

Devereaux Ferris | Life West | Scrumhalf

Nate Brakeley | New York Athletic Club | Lock

Malon Al-Jiboori | USA Men’s Sevens | Flanker

Will Hooley | Bedford Blues | Flyhalf 

Ruben de Haas | Free State Cheetahs Academy | Scrumhalf

Brendan Daly | San Francisco Golden Gate | Lock

Ben Cima | Rocky Gorge | Flyhalf

Alex Elkins | Unattached | Wing

Peni Tagive | USA Men’s Sevens | Wing

Chance Wenglewski | Lindenwood University | Prop