United States National Rugby Union Team
The United States men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The national team is controlled by USA Rugby, which is a member of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association, one of six regional governing bodies under the International Rugby Board. The United States is the reigning Olympic champion in rugby, having won gold at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics.
As of November 19, 2012 the Eagles are ranked 16th in the world by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from October 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position, following two consecutive wins against Uruguay in 2006 to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Their lowest ranking was 20th from June - November 2008, following a winless campaign at the June 2008 Churchill Cup.
The Eagles have played in six of the seven Rugby World Cups, which have been held every four years since 1987. At the 1987 Rugby World Cup they finished 10th, beating Japan, but losing to Australia and England. At the 2003 Rugby World Cup the Eagles finished 13th, beating Japan, losing to Fiji (by 1 point), France and Scotland. The United States has expressed interest in hosting a Rugby World Cup, possibly in 2023 or 2027.
The Eagles have competed in international tournaments such as the now defunct Churchill Cup and the Pan American Championship. Beginning in 2012, every June the United States hosts friendly matches from Tier 1 and Tier 2 rugby nations during the annual June test window.
Read more about United States National Rugby Union Team: Recent Results, Stadium, Coaches, Rivalry With Canada, Women's National Team
Famous quotes containing the words united states, united, states, national, union and/or team:
“We can beat all Europe with United States soldiers. Give me a thousand Tennesseans, and I’ll whip any other thousand men on the globe!”
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)
“In the United States there’s a Puritan ethic and a mythology of success. He who is successful is good. In Latin countries, in Catholic countries, a successful person is a sinner.”
—Umberto Eco (b. 1932)
“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of laws, where there is no law, there is no freedom.”
—John Locke (1632–1704)
“What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility ... a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965)
“Should the German people lay down their arms, the Soviets ... would occupy all eastern and south-eastern Europe together with the greater part of the Reich. Over all this territory, which with the Soviet Union included, would be of enormous extent, an iron curtain would at once descend.”
—Joseph Goebbels (1897–1945)
“Once a word is spoken, a team of four horse cannot retake it.”
—Chinese proverb.