Down Memory Lane - Eagles Make First Tour to England, 1977

By Allyn Freeman | 05.16.18

In October 1977, history would be made when the USA Eagles would tour England where rugby originated and where the rules of the global game were codified. It would also commemorate the first occasion when the Stars and Stripes would fly at Twickenham.

The leading personnel: Coach, Dennis Storer, Manager, Ken Wood, Captain, Craig Sweeny.

The six-match tour would send the Eagles to all corners of England to play university and club sides before the final game, that first ever Test Match against the host nation.

The RFU had considered the caliber of USA ability when it arranged a selection of opposition of some clubs at or about the same level as the Eagles, and other sides more experienced.

Remember, that in 1977 rugby remained an amateur sport. Tries counted four points, conversions, two, and penalties, three.

The result was two wins and four losses, although these outcomes only narrated a partial story. The games follow:

Opponent Score Venue Attendance

Civil Service W-15-6 Gloucester 7,000

Cornwall L-18-11 Cambourne 4,000

Coventry L-33-6 Condon 5,000

Gosforth L-18-6 Gosforth 4,800

Cambridge W-20-18 Cambridge 4,000

England L-37-11 Twickenham 15,000

The British press was generous to the effort of the USA team, with major compliments coming also from knowledge of the game. One newspaper Test Match headline punned, “England In a Try Spangled Manner.”

Coach Storer summed up the experience, “They did their nation proud and will be fondly remembered by all who saw them.”

The team

Dennis Jablonski

Mike Halliday

Rob Duncanson

Greg Schneeweis

Mike Liscovitz

Steve Gray

Scott Kelso

Bill Fraumann

Brie Haley

Jeff Lombard