The USA will send two teams to the inaugural World Club 7s tournament, held August 17-18 at Twickenham Stadium in London.

Hoping to capitalize on the sport’s inclusion on the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Program, Premiership Rugby has created the World Club 7s to bring together the best sevens clubs from around the world.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for these US players, clubs and coaches to be exposed again to a higher, more challenging level of rugby,” said USA Rugby Club Director Jim Snyder. “In the long run, it will be this type of exposure to the best rugby in the world that will help our systems and players continue to develop. I expect this will be a very special experience for the US teams involved”.

Eleven of the 12 teams to compete in the World Club 7s have already been announced, including Super Rugby clubs ACT Brumbies, Auckland Blues, Vodacom Blue Bulls, and DHL Western Province and Aviva Premiership’s Harlequins and Northampton Saints. Teams from Russia and Argentina will also be in London for the tournament. The 12th participant will be the winner of the J.P. Morgan 7s in August.

The San Francisco Golden Gate team will consist of players from the DI club, while New York City Sevens will feature players from the local region. Both teams will also draw on available Men’s Eagles Sevens players in Residency at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. Full rosters for both teams will be announced soon.

San Francisco Golden Gate has been drawn in Pool B against Buenos Aires, Northampton Saints and Vodacom Blue Bulls. New York City Sevens will face the winner of the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s, VVA Moscow Region and DHL Western Province in Pool A.

Much like the IRB World Sevens Series, the top two teams from each pool at the end of day one will progress to the Cup Quarterfinals, as will the two best third-place teams. The other four teams will advance to the Shield competition.

The choice of SFGG and New York has raised some eyebrows as neither city has overwhelmed the club 7s scene in recent years. Some might argue that a team from Tiger Rugby in Southern California (given that Belmont Shore, from which Tiger draws many of its players, has won three out of the last four national club titles), Seattle (OPSB were 2010 champions) or even Philadelphia, Chicago or Denver might have been more appropriate.

The selection of the SFGG and New York seems to have been made at the USA Rugby level. Reps from each team contacted by RUGBYMag.com said they expect to put their best foot forward.

USA Men's National Team Head Coach Mike Tolkin has named a very changed side to face Fiji in Japan, just four days after his team lost 18-9 to Tonga in Carson, Calif.

After running out the same squad to face Ireland and Tonga, Tolkin is resting a large portion of that lineup this week.

Nick Wallace comes in for Shawn Pittman at loosehead prop, while Zach Fenoglio starts at hooker in place of Chris Biller.

Graham Harriman replaces Brian Doyle at lock, while in the back row, John Quill starts at blindside instead of Scott LaValla, and Cam Dolan earns his first cap, slotting in at No. 8.

Robbie Shaw is in place of Mike Petri at scrumhalf, while Adam Siddall gets a start at center in place of Andrew Suniula (although Siddall will be at outside center, while Suniula was inside).

Taku Ngwenya takes the game off, while Luke Hume coming in at right wing, and Blaine Scully slots in at fullback in place of Chris Wyles.

Players who remain from the Tonga game are:
Eric Fry, tighthead prop.

Lou Stanfill, lock. Stanfill is by far the most-capped starter on this squad, and will captain the team.

Toby L'Estrange, flyhalf.

Seamus Kelly, who moves from outside center to inside.

James Paterson, left wing.

Only three starters have recorded ten or more caps - Stanfill, Fry, and Paterson. 

Dolan is uncapped and Harriman and Wallace have one cap each.

On the bench, is an experienced group, led by regular captain Todd Clever who, if he gets on, will earn his 50th cap.

Kickoff for this match is 1:10am Wednesday morning PT, 4:10AM ET


USA 
1. Nick Wallace
2. Zach Fenoglio
3. Eric Fry
4. Graham Harriman
5. Louis Stanfill
6. John Quill
7. Peter Dahl
8. Cameron Dolan
9. Robbie Shaw
10. Toby L'Estrange
11. James Paterson
12. Seamus Kelly
13. Adam Siddall
14. Luke Hume
15. Blaine Scully

Reserves
16. Chris Biller
17. Shawn Pittman
18. Phil Thiel
19. Brian Doyle
20. Todd Clever
21. Mike Petri
22. Andrew Suniula
23. Chris Wyles