World Ranking: 17.

COACH: Jack Clark. Long-standing servant to USA rugby, who has coached the Eagles with some success since 1993 (he is now assisted by Buccaneers' Eddie O'Sullivan) has kept his hands on the reins of power by ensuring a transfer to manager's role after World Cup. Encouraging Epson Cup form gave way to horrendous tour of England and Wales.

TACTICAL TURN: Have some good players fit to grace World Cup, such as Lyle, Billups, former basketballer Gross and Dalzell, but lack quality generally. May have one big performance in them, and have a good line-out but scrum liable to be under pressure and despite physique and willingness to tackle all day, defensively creaky of late, especially when it gets loose and fast.

STAR TURN: Dan Lyle. Former Washington Redskin cast adrift after injury, reconstructed as a No 8 rugby player in inspired move by Clark. Military background (his father was based in Germany) also ensured soccer skills but it is brilliant ball-handling ability (further honed at Bath) and chasing down of restarts which made him one of the world's best up until serious knee injury a year ago. Hasn't looked his best since.

VERDICT: They're not Holland, despite conceding century against England and may have one big performance in them but morale seems to be low and they could even finish below Romania. FINAL THOUGHTS: "Hey, we were up against a side (England) who were competing for the world championship. Let's face it, we won't be competing in quite the same way."

- Jack Clark (US coach) after the 106-8 defeat to England.