THE USA Eagles will play next month’s Rugby World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay in Florida, USA Rugby have announced.

Eddie O’Sullivan’s side, ranked 18th in the world by the International Rugby Board, have already missed one chance to qualify for the 2011 tournament in New Zealand, having lost their two-legged tie against Canada in July.

They now face Uruguay in a second opportunity to reach the championships, first playing in Montevideo on November 14th before returning to the United States for the second leg on November 21st.

“Obviously it is imperative that we reach the Rugby World Cup in 2011,” Eagles head coach O’Sullivan said. “We allowed a great opportunity to slip away in July against Canada but we have to put that disappointment behind us and now focus on getting a result against Uruguay.”

The USA beat Canada 12-6 in Charleston on July 4th but lost 41-18 in Edmonton as their northern neighbours secured the Americas 1 spot at the 2011 World Cup.

If the Eagles defeat 21st-ranked Uruguay, they will seal the Americas 2 berth in Pool C, which has Australia as its top seeds and O’Sullivan’s former charges Ireland as well as Italy and an additional European qualifier.

CONNACHT(squad v Olympus, Madrid, Challenge Cup, Friday, 6.30pm): Backs: F Carr, G Duffy, I Keatley, F Murphy, T O'Halloran, C O'Loughlin, T Nathan, M Nikora, N Ta'auso, A Wynne. Forwards: A Browne, S Cronin, A Flavin, J Hagan, C Higgins, R Loughney, M McCarthy, J Muldoon (capt), D Murphy, J O'Connor, M Swift, Be Upton, B Wilkinson.