Three of Team USA’s World Cup warm-up fixtures have been cemented for next summer, with the Eagles set to take on Canada, Fiji and Japan. They’ll host just one of those matches, July 27 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. against Canada.

The road fixtures are Aug. 3 against Samoa and Aug. 10 against Japan in Suva, Fiji. The matches are part of the rehabbed “Pacific Nations Cup”, which has taken many different shapes over the years. It used to be a tournament with a crowned champion, but now it serves simply as a series of friendlies the summer of a World Cup year.

The Eagles claimed their first-ever victory over Samoa last month, and they’re 9-0-1 against Canada over the last five years. They haven’t played Japan since 2015, when they split, beating an under-selected Japanese team in Sacramento as part of the PNC and losing to the full-strength Cherry Blossoms at the World Cup.  

"We're looking forward to strengthening our schedule and preparation for Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 with three test matches in the Pacific Nations Cup," said Dave Hodges.

"Hosting our northern rivals Canada after what we know will be a fiercely contested Americas Rugby Championship at the beginning of the year will be great for our home fans. Adding to that two matches against Samoa and Japan will allow our men to test our strengths and increase our depth with a competitive lineup before the World Cup."

The additions give the USA seven matches next year to prepare for the World Cup, half of which are on home soil in Seattle, Austin and Denver. The Eagles had one additional match in preparation for the World Cup in ’15, a friendly against the Harlequins. It’s possible another fixture could be added.