Four Uncapped Players in US World Cup Squad

(Berkeley, California) 1 September 1999 -- Four uncapped players have been named to the USA's World Cup squad, chosen today after the team returned home from an August training camp in Great Britain.

Lock Eric Reed, halfback Jesse Coulson, flyhalf Dave Stroble, and wing Sinapati Uiagalelei are all uncapped, while eight more players debuted on the test scene in 1998 or this season.

Flanker Dan Lyle heads the 30-man party, which turned in a third-place showing in this year's Epson Cup but decidedly lacks World Cup experience. Flyhalf Mark Williams is the only holdover from 1991, when last the US appeared on the world stage; just seven players were international veterans in 1994 when Argentina narrowly bested the US to claim the Americas' only berth in the 1995 championship in South Africa.

Lyle, now the most-capped skipper in US history, debuted against Ireland in October 1994. With 41 tests to their credit, hooker Tom Billups and wing Vaea Anitoni share the record for American caps. Both are part of the 1999 World Cup squad.

United States: Forwards: Tom Billups, Joe Clayton, Luke Gross, Dave Hodges, Kirk Khasigian, Marc L'Huillier, Ray Lehner, Rob Lumkong, Dan Lyle (captain), Fifita Mo'unga, Shaun Paga, Alec Parker, Eric Reed, George Sucher, Richard Tardits. Backs: Vaea Anitoni, Andre Blom, Jesse Coulson, Kevin Dalzell, Juan Grobler, Brian Hightower, David Niu, Alatini Saulala, Mark Scharrenberg, Rich Schurfeld, Kurt Shuman, Dave Stroble, Tomasi Takau, Sinapati Uiagalelei, Mark Williams.

© USA National Rugby Team
Scott Compton
USA National Rugby Team
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