Each year, the USA lineup for the Americas Rugby Championships becomes a little more settled, a little less experimental.

Two years ago in the opener against Argentina, almost the entire USA lineup was players who were new to any sort of international rugby, or were in some ways an experiment. A year later, maybe half of the team could be considered the result of Head Coach Mike Tolkin taking a flyer. Now, this year, the lineup is far more settled. In fact, of the 15 players running on Saturday in Langford, BC, only two have not earned USA caps.

Still the ARC has been doing its job, even if the job is weeding out players who won't project to the international level. Of the team that played the Argentina Jaguars in 2012, only three of those players return for 2014, while two are playing pro overseas. From 2013, six return, and four are overseas. Injury, school, or the decision by Tolkin not to continue with that player keeps the rest at home.

Tolkin spoke after his team's rather impressive scrimmage Monday against the Seattle Saracens about how the USA Selects have gone from a very conservative outfit to one that wants to play with the champagne a bit.

"We know we've got some talented players," Tolkin told Goff Rugby Report. "And we want to put them in the best position to put the defense under pressure. I actually think we were a little too conservative in our own end. We're still learning how to judge."

What has also helped is familiarity. Remember that Tolkin's assistants Justin Fitzpatrick and Billy Millard were new to the program last year. The players are more familiar with those coaches (and vice versa) and the players are more familiar with the process. The Seattle training to BC playing is the same as last year, too. All of that helps.

"Most of these guys have been in an international setup, whether with the Eagles or the All Americans or the U20s," added Tolkin. "So they know what to expect, and that makes a huge difference."

So, now, a look at the players on this squad, and what they bring to the team:

Loosehead Prop Nick Wallace. Wallace sat out the scrimmage due to a mild injury and so it's good news that he is on the field. This is his third straight ARC, and this has been a very good tournament for the former Chuckanut and St. Mary's star. He is very mobile, scrums quite well, and with the retirement of Shawn Pittman and the injure to Titi Lamositele, will be needed all the more.

Hooker Phil Thiel. Thiel did not have a great summer. He looked overpowered at times, so the news that he was going to Saracens was very good news for the USA team. Training full time, along with some A-League action, should put him in prime position to build toward November.

Tighthead Olive Kilifi. Kilifi looked solid and has been playing plenty. His big job is to hold steady in the scrums, and perhaps now is his best opportunity to show that he can.

Lock John Cullen. On Monday Cullen showcased what type of an athlete he is, and he added that as he gets more familiar with the pattern and thus is less hesitant when thinking on the fly. That certainly showed in the scrimmage, where the former Utah football player proved himself opportunistic and effective in the open field.

Lock Graham Harriman. In a battle now with Brian Doyle and others for a lock position. He is rarely out-worked. His main job will be in set piece.

Blindside Flanker Louis Stanfill. Big Lou is the captain and moved to flanker - he's been playing a lot of lock of late. He brings experience and an uncompromising attitude. One of the things the ARC teams have lacked is a really experienced captain, and Stanfill, with 48 USA caps and in his 10 season with the Eagles, is perfect.

Openside Flanker Kyle Sumsion. The BYU senior is really, really good. He plays with abandon and bravery, and his best moments, like Cullen's, were in exploding on mistakes in open play.

No. 8 Matthew Trouville. Trouville is one of the two uncapped players on this team. He's been a longtime payer with the Seattle club. He is well-respected, smart, versatile, and tough. He won't break open 50-meter runs, but he will take care of ball at the back of the scrum, win lineouts, and clean up trash.

Scrumhalf Shalom Suniula. He can play flyhalf or scrumhalf, and that ability gives the USA team extra flexibility. (Same can be said of Justin Hundley on the subs bench). Suniula is experienced, has good vision, and is a danger to run at any moment.

Flyhalf Adam Siddall. In 2013 Siddall was on the ARC team with an eye to breaking in as flyhalf. He didn't get any time in the #10 jersey, but then was forced into it due to injury to Toby L'Estrange. Now Siddall is back with no questions - he is the #10. He is a very strong goal kicker, good in contact, and aggressive.

Wing Tim Maupin. Maupin earned his first cap thanks to his play in the 2013 ARC. He was good on attack, found work around the field, and made a few key tackles. In fact, where the 2013 USA Selects team was weak was in defense out wide, and Maupin was the exception. He still has something to prove, as there's plenty of competition at this position on the full Eagles team.

Inside Center Andrew Suniula. It always seems like it's the backs where Tolkin is looking to test players, but here the testing is really just confirming health. Suniula has 30 caps, and is coming back from injury. He looked good on Monday and scored a classic inside center's try in that scrimmage. He will be the anchor of the backline.

Outside Center Chad London. Although already capped, London is still in a position where he has to prove himself. We know he can attack and score tries, but can he defend at the international level for 60-80 minutes? That's the big question he needs to answer.

Wing Lemoto Filikitonga. The young former U20 is the one major experiment in this team. He is a solid athlete and looked comfortable enough on Monday. This is exactly where he has to be tested now.

Fullback Troy Hall. Mike Tolkin has his likes, and one of them is a fullback who can handle the kicking game and be a safety net for everyone else. Hall has this ability and can be an attacking threat - but his main job will be defense.

Bench
16. Zachary Fenoglio. In a fight to get the backup role at hooker for the Eagles.
17. Ben Tarr. New face, and a young one. Not sure how much time he'll get.
18. Angus MacLellan. Like Tarr, a new face to this level, and really they are there for the future.
19. Brian Doyle. There to provide competition at lock right now. He is still good enough to make the full Eagles side, and is full fit and ready to fight for it. Excellent fighter in tight.
20. Ben Pinkelman. Not physically imposing, he seems to get into the middle of the action frequently. Scored two tries on Monday.
21. Nate Augspurger. Another candidate for scrumhalf. Like Suniula he has 7s experience and can attack when nothing's on.
22. Justin Hundley. Can play scrumhalf, flyhalf, fullback, and probably somewhere else if need be. Experienced, and can kick.
23. Tim Stanfill. A pure winger. Tough in contact. Like a lot of wings coming out of college, has had to learn how to play a more physical, high-traffic game.