USA Rugby has announced a list of 82 boys U18 and U19 players to attend the All-American Winter Camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista Dec. 26-31. 

The invitees - 51 U18s and 31 U19s - will trained December 26-31 at the Olympic Training Site. The U18s will split into two teams called USA Red and USA Blue to face two under-18 teams from Canada on Dec. 28 and Dec. 31. Two matches will be played per day.  

The rising Men’s Junior All-Americans (U19) were originally intended to play a Canadian side as well, but with Canada’s U19s unable to attend, the All-Americans will instead play Belmont Shore Rugby. Runners up in the 2018 Men's Division I Club Championships, Belmont Shore and the USA U19s will play a single match on Dec. 30. 

Athletes for each camp were selected from recent age-grade assemblies, Regional Cup Tournaments (U18), college and club competitions across the nation. The under-18 boys will be led by Director of Boys High School All-Americans Brendan Keane with Men’s Junior All-Americans Head Coach Scott Bracken leading the under-19s. 

Rising Men’s Junior All-Americans will see Bailey Wilson and Ethan McVeigh serve as Captain and Vice-Captain, respectively. Both Wilson and McVeigh displayed outstanding leadership skills over the summer during the World Rugby U20 Trophy Qualifier Series with Canada. 

2018 Youth Olympian Tyren Al-Jiboori -- now part of the senior Men’s Sevens Residency program -- and Faitala Talapusi who has been capped in the senior HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will also join the U19s. 

The Boys High School All-American camp will have 33 returning players from last year’s winter camp with 2018 Youth Olympian Isaia Kruse and Will Chevalier (traveling reserve for the same Youth Olympics) also in the mix.  

“With so many up and coming players, it is difficult to select 51 athletes from the entire United States in such a way that their skills, talents, experience, and physical attributes will complement each other to make two high-functioning teams with a short window of preparation time," said Keane. "The identification process is constantly ongoing and we are excited to have so many players who will be representing their country on the field for the first time. 

“Earning the opportunity to pull on a USA jersey and compete against another country is something special and our staff are confident the group selected will represent the United States well against our Canadian rivals. We have great respect for Canadian U18 Coach Mike Curran and his staff and know they will bring two skilled and physical teams.  We are looking forward to exposing our young players to a challenging international series.”

It's important to find the talent regardless of location, added Bracken. "We look at an athlete’s current form in their college or club, past performances as indicated in selections made from this summer’s Canada series; as well as numerous coaches’ recommendations and film," said Bracken. "Many of our athletes are former High School All-Americans taking the next step and we are also proud to have athletes entering the All-American system for the first time.

“Our Captain Bailey Wilson of BYU and Vice Captain, Ethan McVeigh of Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales, have been in the All-American system for some time. Both are well respected by the lads and lead from the front.” 

Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center VP of Business Operations, Spencer Jamison said: "We couldn't be more thrilled to host more than 150 up-and-coming rugby players in USA Rugby's winter camp at the training center. Our facilities have always been dedicated to providing athletes with the best environment to prepare for their futures as elite players. With so many Olympians on-site every day, the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center will foster an inspiring setting for these young women and men to absorb." 

Boys High School All-American Attendees (U18)

Rising Men’s Junior All-American Attendees (U19)