US Military Team Roster Announced for UK Tour

10.27.2025

The USA team after beating the RAF in 2024. Alex Goff photo.

The USA Military Rugby High Performance Staff has announced the 30 rugby players who will represent the USA Military in their return to the United Kingdom November 1.

The team includes 18 returning players from last year’s campaign against the British Army and the Royal Air Force (RAF) in which the Americans won one and lost one. USA Military was defeated by the British Army in the first match and rebounded four days later with a victory over the RAF.

The team on tour is a combination of active duty and veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The Players

Here is the tour roster:

Forwards: Brian Bidder-Navy, Jackson Bristol-Air Force, Mike Bressler-Marines, Drew Dawson-Air Force, Michael Fletcher-Navy, Dan Gabrielli-Army, Collin Grosse-Army, Kevin Harrison-Army, James Irey-Navy, Ryan Leonard-Army, Sili Masina-Army, Michael Melendez-Rivera-Utah National Guard, Aaron Retter-Army, George Smith-Utah National Guard, and Freddie Taufuna-Army

Backs: Adam Castle-Army, Cliff Davidson-Army, Nokoni Fogg-Army, Samuel Follansbee-Marines, Mark Griffin-Air Force, Ben Haapapuro-Air Force, Logan Legg-Texas National Guard, Dennis Munter-Navy, Moliki Mulitalo-Utah National Guard, Shane Palmer-Army, Saleem Razvi-Air Force, Dale Sturdifen-Marines, Mattie Tago-Army, J’son Townes-Marines, and Alex Vinkavich-Coast Guard.

The first match of the tour will be on Friday, November 7th, against the British Army Masters at the newly completed rugby grounds at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which is also where the USA Military team is training and staying.

Then, on November 11, the team will play the British Army 1st XV on Remembrance Day at Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium. This was the site of the USA Military team’s win over the RAF in 2024.

USA Military vs British Army. Photo by Army Rugby Union.

USA Military vs British Army. Photo by Army Rugby Union.

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USA Military vs British Army. Photo by Army Rugby Union.

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USA Military vs British Army. Photo by Army Rugby Union.

USA Military training. Alex Goff photo.

USA Military training at Sandhurst. Alex Goff photo.

USA Military vs RAF. Photo by Punkus.

2024 Military coaches meet over coffee. Alex Goff photo.

Huddling up in the gloaming. Photo Alex Goff.

Remembrance Day

World War I officially ended at 11AM on 11/11/1918, and since then November 11th has been remembered as Armistice Day and then Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth, and Veterans Day in the USA.

This tour is times in part to coincide with Remembrance Day and help strengthen the bond between rugby players and military in both countries.

“USA Military has assembled a very talented and experienced Coaching Staff for the 2025 Campaign, and this is always the corner stone of my efforts for these players,” said Colonel (Retired) Mark Drown, Managing Director. “I also wish to recognize the Ownership Group of the Seattle Seawolves, Adrian Balfour and Chris Prentice. The core of our Coaching Staff and Management is from the Seawolves, these two men have fully embraced supporting our service members across the nation, and our local service members in the greater Seattle area over many years.”

The Coaches

Head Coach Allen Clarke (Clarkie) of the Seattle Seawolves (MLR) was so impressed with the team that he coached in 2024 that he has returned to lead the squad.

“The opportunity to give back to our military rugby community is something I cherish,” said Clarke. “It is an honor to work with these men, and I look forward to this opportunity very much. Last year was an amazing experience, bringing in 30 players from across the globe with only days to form a culture and execute a game plan was the challenge. We certainly rose to that occasion, and I would expect nothing less from our military rugby players.”

Joining Clarkie in the endeavor is Assistant Coach Mike Tolkin, an American coaching icon, former Eagles Head Coach, and friend to the USA Military Team.

“It’s a massive honor and privilege to be a part of the coaching squad for the USA Military Tour to the UK this November,” said Tolkin. “This is one of the highlights of my rugby career, and I especially look forward to working with our outstanding servicemen, the best in the world. They and Coach Clarke set a standard last year, and we’re all working to build on that this time around. Playing against the formidable British Army on this hollowed Remembrance Day, is a very special occasion.”

Other Coaching Staff joining the USA Military are Seawolves Defense Coach Ian Watson. Loose Forwards Coach Scott Lavalla (US Eagles/US Army). Hooker Skills Coach Koikoi Nelligan (West Point/DC Old Glory/US Army), Andrew Kaminsa Skills/Kicking (Zambia 7s National Team Coach). Duncan Cormack Forwards Coach (Esher RFC, UK) and rounding out the Staff returning as an advisor, Gareth Baber (Fiji 7s MNT/Nice Head Coach, France).

The USA Military Team is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization administered by the Pacific Northwest Rugby Union, a member of the USA Rugby Union.

Without the Corporate Support from the Penington Paint Company, Cuisine Solutions, Capstone Research, Refine Technologies, PowerFund, RugbyWorks, CORMACK Advertising, TITAN Earthwork, Rasa, and AKUMA Rugby, this Tour would not be possible.

To support the USA Military Team, go to Flynn@kevinflynnconsulting.com

The Players

Remembrance Day

The Coaches

Photo Galleries