USA men’s eagles head coach, Gary Gold named the squad yesterday and it is the first time the French invitational side has visited the United States.

The match will act as an all-important preparatory game for the USA, as next week brings the beginning of their Rugby World Cup qualification series against Chile.

Speaking ahead of the match, Gold said; “It has been a short, but productive camp in Houston thus far. It’s great to have the team back together and solely focused on these important next few weeks. I’m excited to see the energy is high amongst the boys, to once again be playing rugby with each other and chase the goal of qualification we missed out on last fall.

Despite the exhibition nature of this match, we know the Barbarians will bring fast play and tenacity to the pitch, we’re ready to match that as we get in the right mindset for this tour. Kicking off this summer and qualification series in the win column against some experienced French names is exactly what we expect as a group this Friday.”

**Full Squad**

1. David Ainu’u – Toulouse (FRA)

2. Kapeli Pifeleti – Saracens (ENG)

3. Paul Mullen – Utah Warriors

4. Nick Civetta – Rugby New York

5. **Greg Peterson, Newcastle Falcons (ENG)**

6. Hanco Germishuys – LA Giltinis

7. Moni Tonga’uiha – NOLA Gold

8. Cam Dolan – NOLA Gold

9. Ruben de Haas – Saracens (ENG)

10. AJ MacGinty (C) – Sale Sharks (ENG)

11. Mitch Wilson – New England Free Jacks

12. Bryce Campbell – Austin Gilgronis

13. Tavite Lopeti – Seattle Seawolves

14. Christian Dyer – Houston SaberCats

15. Marcel Brache – Austin Gilgronis

16. Mikey Sosene-Feagai – Toulon (FRA)

17. Chance Wenglewski – Rugby New York

18. Joe Taufete’e – LA Giltinis

19. Siaosi Mahoni – Houston SaberCats

20. Ben Bonasso – Rugby New York

21. Nate Augspurger – San Diego Legion

22. Paul Lasike – Utah Warriors

23. Luke Carty – LA Giltinis