The Eagles are now in the Philadelphia area set to face off with the famed Harlequins Football Club of London, and things will be a bit different from this past weekend’s game against Canada.

For one thing, it’s not a test match. Players don’t get a cap for this game. However, it is a test in the sense that players fighting for a spot in the Rugby World Cup may well have their only major playing time in which to show Coach Mike Tolkin that they deserve to go to England.

For another thing, there will be an expanded bench. Both teams have agreed to extend their bench to allow both to see as many players as possible. There won’t be open subs, but some players might return after being subbed off if there’s an injury.

And thirdly, we’re going to see a couple of players we didn’t see against Canada, as Takudzwa Ngwenya and Samu Manoa should be available for selection. Scott LaValla and Hayden Smith were held out from the Canada game due to injury, and we may well see them saved once more. But players who haven’t seen much action should get time at PPL Park.

Going into the game, Tolkin is pleased with some of the things he saw in his team’s 41-23 defeat of Canada.

“The biggest thing we were pretty physical with them at the tackle area,” said Tolkin. “We gave them a little too much space to operate in on defense, and should have been tighter out wide, but on offense we were running with purpose and intent and more clarity in their 22, and because of that we were able to finish.”

Then there were the set pieces. The Eagles lineout was very strong, and, as Goff Rugby Report mentioned, the scrum was much improved.

“To do all that without some of the big dogs on the squad was one of the most satisfying things,” said Tolkin. “It makes you feel that more was accomplished.”

And one more thing that will be different about this game - for the most part the Harlequins have been playing together for a long time. They might not all be international players, but they are cohesive, and as a result pose issues for the Eagles.

Tolkin says he expects Harlequins to play an open game, but will also be aggressive.

“The physicality and pace will be more than we have experienced this year,” added the coach. “And we know the set piece will be a big challenge. We just have to execute.”