(Berkeley, California) 1 May 1996-- With the Pacific Rim Rugby Championship good to go, the USA National Rugby Team today named a 26-man training squad to prepare for its opening match with Canada on May 11 in San Francisco.
Nearly all of those who played so well against Ireland last January have been chosen, even as two more proven veterans return to the fold. Having tapped every starter save lock Aaron Freeman, who is still in Wales with Treorchy, head coach Jack Clark also recalled past standouts Rob Lumkong, recently sidelined by injury, and Joe Santos, back from New Zealand. Halfback Andre Bachelet of the Old Blues retains the captaincy, while center Joe Grubb and a pair of 22-year-olds--halfback Kevin Dalzell and lock Alec Parker--make their first appearance at a national team camp.
The squad will assemble and train in nearby
Berkeley prior to the test, and shortly afterward a
crew of 21 will head north to Vancouver to get
ready for a return match on May 18. Because it's the
Eagles' turn as hosts, the first contest will count as
the Can-Am fixture, the 20-year-old North American
rivalry that's played annually for bragging rights.