The Classic Eagles are set to depart for The World Rugby Championships in fantastic Hamilton, Bermuda!

Boulder, Colo. – CEO Nigel Melville named Play Rugby, Inc founder and former USA hooker Mark Griffin as USA Rugby’s new Youth and High School Director.

“I feel both excited and privileged to take on the role of the Youth and High School Director for USA Rugby,” Griffin said. “The timing couldn’t be better, given the hard work that Katie [Wurst], Nigel and the team have put into Rookie Rugby and the important platform it provides to lower the age at which children are introduced to the game.”

This February 13th the USA Classic Eagles Rugby organization will host a competitive game for the purpose of selecting the best players for the 2009 Bermuda Classic in Hamilton Bermuda. In order to utilize the largest Rugby event in North America the 2009 USA Sevens ( http://www.usasevens.com ) the Classic Eagles will take the field in San Diego California for the USA Sevens.

The USA Sevens tournament is the largest rugby event in North America, showcasing two days of non-stop electrifying rugby, teamed with an International Fan Festival extravaganza and a weekend of endless entertainment. Watch as 16 nation’s battle it out in 44 matches from Saturday morning to Sunday night.

It's a weekend of non-stop rugby action at PETCO Park – one of America’s most spectacular stadiums located in the heart of the vibrant downtown area. When the sun sets the celebration continues, as fans head to the famed Gaslamp Quarter to enjoy one of the hundreds of bar and restaurants. (details from www.usasevens.com)

Tickets? Get yours today and be part of the biggest rugby event in North America.

---We are looking for players today!

Players must be 33 years of age, experienced with USA Rugby by participation with either the USA Eagles 7’s or 15’s. Players must be active with either their current local club or any other select traveling squad. Those that did not make Eagle selection in their careers yet, still possess the willingness to commit to the sport and prove their athletic talents on the field of rugby be sure to sign up and or communicate your interest to any former USA Eagle. Through previous Bermuda Classic performances, previous Eagles matches and outstanding references from other Eagles players, the Classics have not only formed a Committee for selection but have a created a dynamic player pool which will only help to better the organization in its Annual Bermuda Classic performance. In 2008 the Classic Eagles nearly upset the All Blacks and had a great showing from which they will take their lumps and bruises to continue to make an even stronger team in 2009.

---Send us your name or selections today.

USA Classic Eagles Committee

On Thursday evening, The Classic Eagles kicked off, with the wind behind them at the start of the second Plate semi final. The early exchanges were fairly even, with perhaps the USA gaining some advantage over the Argentinians and placing them under pressure. Multiple phases had them camped in the Argentina 22, a lineout led to a scrum in front of the post and suddenly an interception and Argentina scored a breathtaking breakaway try against the run of play, Martin Murgier the scorer.

The Eagles played with great athleticism and consistently placed the Pumas on the defensive and equalised , Ryan Rebell scoring. The try was converted giving The Eagles a fair 7-5 lead. This seemed to give the Eagles confidence, they ran from deep in their own half and moved the ball around. However, it was Argentina who went into the lead with Crisitan Mendy scoring under the posts, the try was converted but the U.S. came right back with a converted try of their own to hold on to a narrow 14-12 lead at half time. The second half started with great passion, both teams playing with 14 men after each had players sin binned. Argentina regained the lead with another try from Martin Murgier and then a simply brilliant try in the corner after a kick over the Eagles line and a chase by Sebastian Crispo. These two quick tries knocked the stuffing out of The Eagles who by now were limiting the loss. A final converted try from Argentina booked their place in The Plate Final against France with a final score of Argentina 29, Classic Eagles 14.

The Classic Pumas (Argentina)

Name Position Number Honours Club

Mariano Bosch Hooker 2 4 caps Olivos

Roberto Grau Prop 1 48 caps Liceo Rugby Club

Diego Cash Prop 3 42 caps SIC

Damian Rodriguez Prop 16 5 caps Hurling

Pedro Sporleder Lock 5 78 caps Curupayti

Jorge Lerga Lock 4 3 caps Pucara

Luis Coliqueo Lock 20 Lomas Athletic

German Llanes Lock 19 43 caps La Plata

Juan Pablo Angelillo Flanker 6 A Team SIC

Julio Brolese Flanker 7 2 caps La Plata

Frederico Bock Flanker 18 A team CASI

Cristian Enrique Viel No.8 8 26 caps Newman

Alejandro Galli No.8 17 Belgrano Athletic

Leandro Lobrauco Scrumhalf 9 5 caps Rosario Athletic

Fernando Alonso Scrumhalf 21 A Team Rosario Athletico

Lisandro Arbizu Outhalf 10 86 caps Belgrano Athletic

Matias Zuchcheri Outhalf 22 A Team La Plata

Cristian Mendy Centre 23 17 caps La Plata

Gonzalo Camardon Centre 12 41 caps Alumni

Eduardo Laborde Centre 13 3 caps Pucara

Facundo Soler Centre 24 26 caps Tala Rugby Club

Frederico Schacht Wing 14 6 caps Alumni

Martin Murgier Wing 11 CASI

Diego Cuesta Silva Full Back 15 65 caps SIC

Sebastian Crispo Full Back 25 San Luis

Mario Botta Coach Alumni

Matias Corral Coach 17 caps SIC

Rodolfo Ventura Manager 13 caps Newman

Guillermo Ugartemendia Official 16 caps Los Matreros

Sebastian Salvat Official 27 caps Alumni

Martin Yanguela Official 1 cap Pueyrredon

Matias Allen Official 5 caps Casi

Diego Sola Doctor

The Classic Eagles (U.S.A.)

Name Position Number Honours Club

Spencer Maggard Prop 16 US Trials (2) Atlanta Renegades

Tony Nash Prop 1 US Trials (4) NYAC

Mike French Prop 3 8 caps OMBAC

Mike Nelson Hooker 17 US Trials 3 Denver Barbarians

Mark Griffin Hooker 2 9 caps Old Blue

Corne Cronje Lock 18 A Caps (2) Dallas Harlequins

Jason Rogers Lock 5 A Caps (3) Dallas Harlequins

Hal Struckman Lock 4 US Trials (2) Shreveport RFC

David Care Flanker 7 4 caps Dallas Harlequins

Scott Yungling Flanker 6 3 caps OMBAC

Ryan ReBell No 8 19 A Caps (3) OMBAC

Henry Bloomfield No 8 8 18 caps Belmont Shore

John McGeachy Scrumhalf 21 USA 7’s (12) NYAC

Jack Wilfley No 8 20 US Trials (2) Aspen

Isaac Mbereko Scrumhalf 9 A Caps (6) Aspen

Eric Masterson Outhalf 10 A Caps (4) Kansas City Blues

Link Wilfley Outhalf 22 22 caps Denver Barbarians

Karl Thomson Centre 12 2 caps SF Golden Gate

Juan Grobler Centre 13 34 caps Aspen

Brendon Brown Centre 23 USA 7’s (18) Chicago Griffins

David Fee Wing 11 11 caps South Side Irish

Mike Farris Wing 24 A Caps (3) Back Bay RFC

Lance Vesley Wing 25 US Trials (4) Scioto Valley RFC

Louis Tulio Fullback 15 13 caps Aston Bulls

Doug Brown Fullback 14 USA 7’s (25) Denver Barbarians

Tim Kluempers Manager 5 caps Kansas City Blues

Tony Flay Coach 8 caps Jersey Shore

Dr. Atlee Wampler Chiropractor US Trials (2) Life University

Dr. Jack McCloskey Team Doctor 2 caps Jersey Shore

Dr. Stephen Zabinski Team Doctor Jersey Shore

On Monday evening the Classic Eagles took on The Classic All Blacks. The Eagles looked strong and motivated pre-game and opened the scoring after only 7 minutes with Doug Brown grounding the ball. This was a fast game, and New Zealand countered quickly to level the score at 5-5. Filipe Rayasi scoring for the All Blacks. The Kiwis extended their lead with Neil Foote scoring. The Eagles were, however, back in the game on the stroke of half time with another score from Lance Vesely 10-10.

Early in the second half, Keith Lowen added another for New Zealand as with the conversion they eeked out a 17 -10 lead. The Eagles continued to be competitive and believed they could win the game. And shortly Louis Tulio scored to bring them back within reach at 17-15. The All Blacks started to “lock down” the game by keeping the ball tight and grounded down the Eagles defense to score. Another Eagles attack was stopped short of the line and with only a few minutes left to play, the ball was picked up after as the Americans tried to run the ball from inside their own 22, giving The All Blacks a 27-15 lead. The try was converted and the game finished 29-15, a very flattering score for New Zealand and the Eagles must be feeling very disappointed that they came so close to beating one of the world’s great rugby nations. A great game.

Starting Line up

1 Nash

2 Griffin

3 French

4 Struckman

5 Rogers

6 Youngling

7 Care

8 ReBell

9 McGetchy

10 Link Wilfley

11 David Fee

12 Karl Thompson

13 Isaac Mberko

14 Doug Brown

15 Eric Masterson captain

Coach: Tony Flay

Manager:  Tim Kluempers

Next Up: Argentina stay tuned!

The USA Eagles Classic Rugby fell to a strong New Zealand team in the 2008 Bermuda Classic opening match. Only down by 7 in the 58th minute, 22-15, the Eagles tried everything possible to get one over the line. By spreading the field wide, making long passes and taking risky shots, the Eagles opened themselves up for a last minute missed pass. The risky play by the Eagles would have tied the game in the final seconds but instead sealed the win for the Kiwis at 29-15. A good showing by the USA. Be proud.

Starting line up:

Tony Nash

Mark Griffin

Mike French

Jason Rogers

Hal Struckman

Scott Yungling

David (CareBear) Care

Ryan Rebell

Isaac Mbereko

Eric (Kid) Masterson

Juan Grobler

Karl Thomson

Mike Farris

Doug Brown

David (Fleebag) Fee

Tries by Doug Brown, Lance Vesely & Louis Tulio

Click link above for 2008 Entire Team Roster

Australia 33 - Canada 0 On the opening day of The 2008 Classic, Canada took on Australia. The game started evenly but Australia’s superior experience began to tell and after 20 minutes, Tim Walsh scored under the posts and subsequently converted his own try making it 7-0 Australia. Five minutes later, the number 8, Danny Flannery added another, Walsh converted again giving the Wallabies a comfortable 14-0 lead at half time.

10 minutes into the second half they extended their lead further with a converted try and by this point Canada looked well beaten. Marco Caputo added another, Walsh again taking the extra two points. It could have been more with David Kalaher grounding the ball but the referee ruled it had been knocked forward. A fifth try by Paul Horton booked Australia a semi final berth against South Africa. Final Score: Australia 33, Canada 0.

Victoria, BC Canada June 28^th, 2008

As an ongoing effort to continue International Rugby at its highest level for the 33 year and over rugby player, the United States Classic Eagles will clash once again with their rival neighbor, the Classic Canadians. The ongoing ‘friendly’ has become a tradition for both countries as a pre-tournament match to the Bermuda Classic in November. Not only does this continued match-up provide the International Teams a chance to see the competition of one of the 8 International squads that return to the island of Bermuda in this annual invitational, it gives the athletes, that at one time represented their respective nations first-squads, a chance to strap up the boots once again.

Captain Andre Bachelet will be leading a 2008 Classic Eagles team comprised of new and old faces. Training will be light for this friendly, as most players will arrive on Thursday. The San Diego-based tournament is great preparation for the Bermuda Classic in November and the tournament scheduled for Durban, South Africa in July. The players are also hoping to be named to the 25 man traveling- squad, in June against Canada. (see schedule).

New plans to assemble earlier and participate in matches before tournaments will help boost the performance of the Classic Eagles in 2008. Remember the Eagle's budget is much below the international standards of other professional teams. If you have an interest in becoming a member of the Classic Eagles or donating to assist with travel, please click here. Membership

Finals Day - Saturday November 10th
Bermuda 0 Argentina 38
Plate Final - Canada 5 France 19
Women's International - Classic Lionesses 55 Canada 0
2007 World rugby Classic Final - South Africa  31 New Zealand 12

2nd Semi Finals - Day 4 - Thursday November 8th
Plate Competition: Canada 29 - USA 7
World Rugby Classic: South Africa 8 - Classic Lions 7

1st Semi Finals - Day 3 - Wednesday November 7th
Plate Competition: France 14 - Argentina 0
World Rugby Classic: New Zealand 10 - Australia 7

Day 2 - Monday November 5th
Canada 0 - South Africa 12
USA 12 - Classic Lions 55


Day 1 - Sunday November 4th
Argentina 12 - Australia 22
France 8 - New Zealand 12

The Classic Eagles fought valiantly with their trademark `never-say-die' attitude before dropping their opening game of the 20th annual World Rugby Classic in Bermuda to the British Lions. Despite positive attitude, training and determination and scoring first, The Classic Eagles two tries were no match for the Lions' nine.

The US shocked the Lions when Doug Brown intercepted a pass to touch down first, but the conversion wasn't good. The Eagles then worked hard to move the ball through the team's backline, capitalizing on advances from the forwards. Highlights included a 60-meter run by winger Michael Skahan off a pass from Doug Brown. Skahan offloaded the ball to flyhalf Eric Masterson, who touched down for the try between the posts. Captain Andre Bachelet missed the conversion.

After early pressure, the US wilted as the game continued, tallying just 12 points to the Lions' 55. Britain's team pushed through the Eagles' defense with intense rucking and mauling, exposing the US's weaknesses that will have to be worked on before facing arch-rival Canada on Thursday in a must-win match.