The Austin Gilgronis centre is one of 18 MLR players in the USA’s matchday 23 for the match against Ireland.

Irish-born US internationals Luke Carty and Paul Mullen are also among the 18 in the squad that plays in the MLR.

Campbell believes that the league is integral to the national team and will continue to be for the future.

“Just the fact that all team is playing week in week out and that the competition is getting better and better – not even every season, but each week,” said Campbell.

Campbell stated that it is a huge positive to have a domestic competition to build international-level players in.

He believes that the American players in the MLR can build a strong bond, even if they are not on the same team and that helps the squad when they all come together to put on the USA jersey.

“I think with a lot of us playing MLR, we have felt each other’s tendencies a bit.”

The US have added new players to their camp since their last time together in Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

However, the core of the current squad includes several players who went to Japan and this also helps the team’s chemistry, according to the captain.

Campbell clarified that most of the players in the squad have played with each other at one point or another, so that makes it easier.

Players like Christian Dyer, who came into the squad after missing out on a spot on the US Sevens Olympic Squad, have fit in very well, according to Campbell.

“I’m just really happy with the way the team has come together.”

Ireland’s game against the USA kicks off on Saturday at 7:15 pm.

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The USA lost 43-29 to Eddie Jones’ England but were the better side in the second half after a poor first 40 minutes.

Carty scored nine points on the day to help the side to close the gap they had allowed to open up as they outscored the English 26-17 to finish on a high.

“I thought [his debut] went very well,” Gold said.

“I thought he was quite composed – he’s a confident young man.”

Irish-born Carty will start on Saturday night against Ireland at fly-half, collecting his second cap for the USA Eagles in the process.

Carty qualifies for the United States via his grandmother, who was born in New York.

He moved to the US at the beginning of 2021 to join the LA Giltinis, who are currently playing their inaugural season in Major League Rugby.

The United States international has impressed for the side that also has Australian legends Adam-Ashley Cooper and Matt Giteau on its books.

Paul Mullen is another USA star that has impressed Gary Gold since coming into the American national side.

Mullen made his debut for the States in the summer of 2018 as a substitute in the side’s 62-13 win over Russia in Colorado.

The Aran Islands native has gone to represent the national team at the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and will play the country of his birth for the second time, earning his 20th cap in the process.

Gold noted the Utah Warriors’ prop’s improvement since breaking into the Eagles squad and gave credit to the MLR as one of the reasons for that.

“Yeah, I think he’s improved…I think that’s down to the MLR and being able to get regular game time.”

The 29-year-old will also start against Ireland on Saturday night, positioned at tighthead prop.

To see the USA squad for the match, click here.

The game will kick-off at 7:15 pm with RTÉ broadcasting it in the Republic of Ireland.

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The former Connacht ‘A’ star will earn his second cap for the United States after making his debut against England last weekend.

Aran Islands native Paul Mullen will also start in an Eagles side that will make four changes ahead of their clash against Andy Farrell’s men.

Joe Taufete’e comes in at hooker, in between David Ainu’u and Mullen who are at prop.

Gregory Peterson who plies his trade for English side Newcastle Falcons will pair up with Nick Civetta at lock forward.

Hanco Germishuys starts at blindside flanker after starting on the bench last weekend and will be in a back row with Riekert Hattingh and Cam Dolan.

Ruben de Haas will begin the game at scrum-half with Luke Carty beside him at fly-half.

Captain Bryce Campbell will play alongside the twice-capped Calvin Whiting at centre.

Christian Dyer comes into the side after his debut try against England and will form the USA back three with Mika Kruse and the incoming Mike Te’o.

Marcel Brache is out due to a failed head injury assessment.

The uncapped Andrew Guerra joins Psalm Wooching, Nate Brakeley and others on the bench.

To see the Irish squad, click here.

USA Side v Ireland

Backs

15. Mike Te’o (Utah Warriors) 29 caps

14. Christian Dyer (USA Sevens) 1 cap

13. Calvin Whiting (Utah Warriors) 2 caps

12. Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis) 33 caps C

11. Mika Kruse (Utah Warriors) 1 cap

10. Luke Carty (LA Giltinis) 1 cap

9. Ruben de Haas (Austin Gilgronis) 18 caps

Forwards

1. David Ainu’u (Toulouse) 10 caps
2. Joe Taufete’e (Lyon) 28 caps
3. Paul Mullen (Utah Warriors) 19 caps
4. Gregory Peterson (Newcastle Falcons) 31 caps
5. Nick Civetta (Rugby United New York) 27 caps
6. Hanco Germishuys (Rugby United New York) 22 caps
7. Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) 1 cap
8. Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold) 52 caps

Replacements

16. Kapeli Pifeleti (Saracens) 3 caps

17. Matt Harmon (NOLA Gold) 1 cap

18. Dino Waldren (NOLA Gold) 20 caps

19. Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York) 24 caps

20. Psalm Wooching (San Diego Legion) 5 caps

21. Andrew Guerra (NOLA Gold) uncapped

22. Michael Baska (Utah Warriors) 1 cap

23. Will Magie (Austin Gilgronis) 26 caps

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