National teams Rugby union in the United States

usa vs. tonga in 2007 rwc.

the united states national rugby union team nicknamed eagles. played first international in 1912, did not begin playing regularly until 1976. eagles have qualified 6 of 7 rugby world cups, including recent 2015 rugby world cup. u.s. national team hosts world rugby pacific nations cup matches every june, , tours against european teams each november.

the united states tier-2 rugby nation. u.s. has been consistently ranked 1 of top 20 teams in world since world rugby rankings developed in 2003.

rugby world cup

the u.s. national team has played in 6 of 7 rugby world cup tournaments held every 4 years since inaugural 1987 tournament. in inaugural 1987 rugby world cup, united states won 1 match, beating japan 21–18 in pool stage.

at 1991 rugby world cup united states went 0–3 losses new zealand, england , italy. u.s. failed qualify 1995 rugby world cup in south africa. @ 1999 rugby world cup in wales, national side failed win match, losing 25–27 romania.

the u.s. had 1 of better performances @ 2003 rugby world cup, winning 1 game 39–26 against japan, , narrowly losing fiji 18–19. u.s. fly-half mike hercus scored 51 points in tournament, ranked seventh highest in tournament, though u.s. diss not advance knockout rounds.

the u.s. came away 2007 rugby world cup in france without win. 1 of team’s high points, though, winger takudzwa ngwenya, scored against south africa out-pacing bryan habana try, earning try of year .

the usa played in 2011 rugby world cup held in new zealand. team’s highlights included 13–6 win against russia, , narrow 22–10 loss against tier-one opponent ireland. u.s. had disappointing 2015 rugby world cup in england. u.s. had been aiming 2 wins, lost samoa 16–25 , japan 18–28.

regional competitions

the north america 4 elite-level irb-financed tournament ran 2006 until 2008. tournament contested between 4 teams, 2 united states , 2 canada.

the united states national team participated in pacific nations cup 2013 2015. tournament intended strengthen tier 2 rugby nations providing competitive test matches in tournament format. however, united states , canada ended participation after 2015 competition.

in 2009, world rugby launched new competition, americas rugby championship, 4 teams. teams included usa selects , united states (second-level) side; canadian team; argentina jaguars, argentine developmental side; , uruguayan team. these matches between a-sides not considered official international test matches. competition held annually 2009 through 2014, except in world cup year of 2011.

the americas rugby championship relaunched in 2016 western hemisphere equivalent europe s 6 nations championship. new format involves argentina jaguars , full national teams of usa, brazil, canada, chile, , uruguay. matches in tournament, including against argentina jaguars, full international tests, , count in world rugby rankings except involving argentina jaguars.