USA Men's 15s Head Coach Gary Gold has named his gameday roster of 23 to face Kenya in Sunday's first Final Qualifier Tournament game.

“We’re very happy to finally be here in Dubai, there has been a lot of build up and preparation to this point, so we’re eager to get underway," said Gold. "We have the full group together now, with the European guys joining our core of players from South Africa. Both matches in Bloemfontein were a great assessment for us, working through our systems and combinations as we fine tune for these next few weeks."

As expected, Gold has named a USA-based starting 15, reasoning (as he outlined in an interview with GRR) that these players have been in camp together longer.

Five players will make their USA debut: Rudy Scholz Award finalists Vili Helu (Saint Mary's, Danville Oaks) and Ryan Rees (Life University, Westlake HS) will patrol blindside flanker and scrumhalf, respectively. Former Cal All American Jack Iscaro (Cal, Gonzaga HS) starts at loosehead prop, former Life University captain Mitch Wilson is at fullback, and Cory Daniel, a former football and wrestling standout who picked up rugby in 2019, is named at openside flanker.

Outside center Marcel Brache will captain the side, while inside center Paul Lasike is back for his first full test match since 2019. Cam Dolan, normally a No. 8, will suit up at lock in place of the injury Nick Civetta. This will be Dolan's 61st cap for the USA.

Gold has hedged his bets, however, with experienced overseas-based players on the bench.

"The coaches and I have been really happy with the energy of the squad so far," said Gold. "This is a unique series as we play a group of teams we’re not traditionally paired with. Kenya will bring a fast-paced game, we expect them to be physical and take their chances with ball in hand, but the guys are altogether focused on their own game and playing to those strengths this Sunday.”

Having just joined the squad this week after his club duties in Bristol, regular captain AJ MacGinty will be on the bench.

"We feel pretty good, it is an incredible place and preparations have been very good," said MacGinty. "Qualifying means everything, as a young kid playing the game this is what you dream of. This opportunity ahead of us is a massive one, I feel privileged to be here and excited to get going. We have had five weeks to get there in camps, so the mood is good, the lads have worked really hard, building confidence, and we are excited about the games ahead."

The Simbas have yet to announce their lineup, but it will be included below when it is announced. Captain Daniel Sikuta said that it was an honor to be in this tournament with a shot at a World Cup spot.

"It's a good feeling and we are very happy to take this opportunity, do our best and try to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023," Sikuta said. "Everyone in the team is very excited, we lost against Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup in France and this is our second opportunity to qualify so we will stick to our plan as a team. We will treat every game as a final but the first challenge is the USA. We need to be a team, in control, and take every opportunity at every minute, every second and see what happens after 80 minutes."