First a bald stat: in the match between Sales Sharks and Exeter Chiefs on 8 January 2023 no fewer than ten American Eagles took to the pitch.
Behind it lie two contrasting details: it contains some outstanding rugby players, but the Eagles came away from the World Cup with one solitary victory over Japan.
That big disappointment loomed large at a meeting of the USA Rugby Board of Directors on 7 December.
They were all too aware of the need for a marked improvement from the men’s and women’s squads as they prepare to host the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups. The first need was for a more effective High Performance Program. To that end they have initiated an exhaustive independent review into national structures.
Both head coaches, Gary Gold and Rob Cain, have stepped away from their positions. That is more a reflection of shortcomings at the top level than any criticism of their personal endeavours. Few can doubt Cain’s huge input into the women’s national squad; the back-up resources he needed simply weren’t there. He has taken the decision not to continue in post; his contract was due to end after the World Cup anyway,
World Rugby will move in to help USA Rugby undertake its review, which will question three broad areas:
What is its strategy for developing world class teams in its Men’s and Women’s 15s and 7s programs?
What organizational structures does USA Rugby need to achieve this objective? What talent needs to be in the organization?
What is the culture of USA Rugby national teams? How is it expressed in the organization and how does it reflect in their play on the pitch?
These are matters that must concern many other nations in a similar position.
One of Cain’s short-term policies was to send as many Eagles as possible across to England to sharpen their game in the Premier 15s. The effect is seen in that opening stat.
Once again we have to wonder how long it will take for unions near and far to reach a point where they no longer need to continue that policy. France runs the other league capable of attracting ambitious players from abroad to take part in the Elite 1 championship. They add enormously to the flavour of the product on offer, but they indicate the relative weakness of their national set-ups.
The Eagles’ first objective must now be to earn a place in the top tier of the WXV. That will prove a monumental task.
