Eagles ready for tough one

USA coach Tom Billups is under no illusions about the task facing his Eagles as they prepare to face Ireland at Lansdowne Road next month.

Former Harlequins hooker and US captain Billups is rebuilding his team after last year’s World Cup and has named a squad for the autumn tests containing just six players from the team that started the USA’s last World Cup game, a group defeat to France.

Former captains Dan Lyle and Dave Hodges have retired, so the leaders in Dublin on November 20 will be a pair of 25-year-olds - Cardiff flanker and captain Kort Schubert and Sale fly-half Mike Hercus.