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The new format for this event replaces the annual Under-19 World Championships and will showcase the best 16 age-grade nations in the world.
The four pools of four will give each team three pool games then two further playoff fixtures totaling five games in 16 days.
The 15th-seeded US team will open against #2 South Africa on June 6. The Junior Eagles will follow with matches against #8 Samoa on June 10 and No. 10-seeded Scotland on June 14. Games four and five will be determined after the three opening pool games.
The USA U-20s qualified for this tournament with their third-place Pool B finish last April in the U-19 World Championships. This year’s tournament marks the first time that the U-20 Americans will face off against tier one nations and although the challenges are comparable to those that the senior Eagles faced in last year’s Rugby World Cup, this year’s junior US squad is among the most experienced ever fielded at America’s age-grade level.
In fact, 16 of the 26 players on this year’s squad represented the USA in last year’s World Juniors in Belfast.
The USA U-20s squad includes forwards: Teddy Barron (Harvard, Mass.), Austin Cella (Garryowen, Ireland), Kevin Erskine (Tempe, Ariz.), Ryan Fitcher (Arizona State University), Nick Johnson (Metropolis, Minneapolis), Stevie Johnston (Tempe Rugby, Ariz.), Garrett Lambert (Life University), Scott Lavalla (Trinity College, Ireland), Ryan McTiernan (NYAC), Scott Metcalf (University of Utah), Taylor Mokate (University of Oklahoma), Liam Murphy (Young Munster, Ireland), Max Paganini (University of Purdue), Shawn Pittman (Golden Gate), Mike Shepherd (Brownsburg, Indiana), Bille Wynne (Arizona State University).
The backs include: Adam Ducoing (Louisiana State), Nate Ebner (Ohio State University), Gareth Jones (Temple University), Thretton Palamo (Biarritz, France), Hamish Roberts (Texas A&M), Steven Sablan (Potomac Athletic Club), Tyler Siceloff (Bristol University), Zack Test (University of Oregon), Jack Tracy (Back Bay, Calif.), Sean Treacy Clontarf, Ireland).
Captain Scott Lavalla, Thretton Palamo, and Nate Ebner will make their third World Juniors appearance, having started in Dubai in 2006 and although this will be Palamo’s first World Juniors playing for the USA, he played for the US against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup, becoming the youngest player ever to play in the RWC.
Palamo also played the IRB Sevens circuit this year and is a contracted player with French club Biarritz.
“We are delighted to have a player of Thretton’s ability and experience in the squad”, said head coach Salty Thompson. “He brings a significant presence in our midfield and will be a catalyst for the USA team having a wealth of experience and presence.”
Captain Scott Lavalla will lead the US for the second year. Lavalla is finishing his freshman year in Ireland and has played 1st team and U-20s in the All Ireland leagues. Liam Murphy, also based in Ireland, helped Young Munster gain promotion to division one this season, following on from his Munster u20s campaign and recent Munster 7s appearances.
The squad will assemble on Friday, May 22, complete physicals and fitness tests over the weekend then fly to Manchester on Monday, May 26.
The U-20s staff headed into the World Championships includes head coach Salty Thompson, assistant coach Michael Engelbrecht, strength and conditioning coach David Williams, fitness and analysis coordinator Jeremy Bettle, technical coach Luke Gross, event manager Andy Byrne, assistant manager Beth Thompson, trainer Mark Stephens, team doctor Eric Test and physio Gary Lambert.