Opening Kick

Opening Kick is a segment devoted to bringing you all Eagles and USA rugby related news in one location.

Eagles/7's:

Eagles 7's back Mike Palefau describes to fans just what "International Bench Press Day" means to everyone on the 7's team.

Al Caravelli is eager for the series to start and to see how his players perform against the best teams in the country. (Membership required)

Ed Hagerty, writing for Gainline, gives a suggestion to U.S.A. Rugby while in their search for a new coach: hire American.

Former Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan says he is interested in the England job.

Canada have named their 7's team that will compete in Dubai and South Africa.

Women:

Ric Suggit has named his 12-woman squad that will compete in Dubai.

The pools for the competition have been announced. The U.S. is in the same pool with England, South Africa, and China.

U.S. U-20 coach Bryn Chivers has been impressed with the level of talent displayed by the U-19 All-Stars.

College:

UCLA has dropped out of the College 7's Nationals. Stony Brook will take their place.

Youth:

The application process for High School teams that want to compete at Nationals will be open next month.

Tidbits:

Digital subscriptions to the Rugby World Cup have netted a nice profit for Universal Sports. It has been one of their most profitable events to date.

Who says rugby can't stop crime? One college player leapt into action to do just that.