USA

8:40 am on 9 September 2011

The United States have played in all but one Rugby World Cup, missing only the 1995 tournament in South Africa.

The Americans have failed to progress beyond the pool stage, but Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who coached Ireland in 2003 and 2007, says they have strength and depth.

The squad includes several players with experience of the top flight in Europe and in the southern hemisphere.

The captain, loose forward Todd Clever played Super Rugby with South Africa's Lions before moving to Suntory in Japan. Wing Takudzwa Ngwenya plays for Biarritz in France and fullback Chris Wyles and lock Hayden Smith for Saracens in England

Ngwenya scored a memorable try against South Africa in 2007 when he outpaced Springbok wing Bryan Habana.

USA]* can boast two gold medals in Olympic rugby in 1920 and 1924]* and impressed in the IRB Sevens in recent years, winning the Shield final in Wellington three years ago.

They had their inaugural national league this year, while the national side managed just one win in six Tests.

USA will find the World Cup tough: opening their Pool C campaign on 11 September against Ireland in New Plymouth, before playing Russia, Australia and Italy.