MacDonald set for USA landmark

United States prop Mike MacDonald will become the Eagles’ most capped player with 63 Test appearances in Sunday’s World Cup opener against Ireland.

Roland Suniula has been preferred ahead of Nese Malifa at fly-half in reward for his strong recent form.

Saracens full-back Chris Wyles is out with an ankle injury so Blaine Scully starts in the number 15 jersey.

Team: B Scully; T Ngwenya, P Emerick, A Suniula, J Paterson; R Suniula, M Petri; M MacDonald, P Thiel, S Pittman, J van der Giessen, H Smith, L Stanfill, T Clever (capt), N Johnson.

Replacements: C Biller, M Moeakiola, S LaValla, P Danahy, T Usasz, N Malifa, C Hawley.