Project Apollo: Shaping the Future of USA Rugby with Elite Talent for 2031

This is the final installment of a four part series on Moonshot 2031.  Again, this series is best consumed by starting with He Has a Plan… Trust the Plan … Moonshot 2031. In the first two Moonshot Projects, Mercury and Gemini, it is fairly easy to understand how Scott is building a roster that will compete in Rugby World Cup 2031.  The rosters selected for the 2023 six test series within Mercury, the goal was to establish what it meant to be an Eagle and provide a culture for players that may find their way onto the RWC 2027 roster.  It is in Project Gemini that Scott will use tests in 2024-2027 to build a competitive roster and introduce players that could be a veteran foundation for 2031 when the tournament comes to American shores.

Project Apollo

The purpose of Project Apollo is to “Deliver exceptional pathways and teams that will represent us as a playing nation to the world in 2031.”  It is moot to project what Scott’s roster might look like in 2031.  We HOPE that the likes of Rand Santos, Dominic Besag, Dylan Fortune, Seth Smith, and Cyrille Cama will continue to develop into veteran Eagles.  They have all been in the Eagle’s mix by being capped or on the traveling reserve roster.  We MAY see Lucas Gramlick, Renger Van Eerten, Colin Grosse, Oscar Lennon, and Connor Buckley still engaged as 30 plus cap veterans in 2031.  But, the truth is that a lot can happen in the next seven years.

There is evidence to suggest that three seeds are currently being planted in order to prepare for Apollo.  Each will take the Eagles from post RWC 2027 and into the 4 year 2031 World Cup cycle.

Seeds Being Sown for 2031

The first seed is that we can expect veterans at key positions to stick around a bit longer than others.  For me, the key positions are the Spine Positions – 2, 9, 10, and 15.  In addition, I would add the loosehead and tighthead props to this list.  All of these have to possess a bit more specific skill set than some other positions.  Ruben de Haas is a good example.  At 25, he most certainly should figure into the 2027 roster.  Having amassed 32 caps, his international experience will be essential in ‘27 and possibly in ‘31 where he will be 32 years old.

The second seed being planted is in Charlotte.  Brandon Sparks, ARC GM, is clearly aligned with Lawrence and he seems to be gobbling up any current or potential Eagles.  The clear aim is to consistently provide quality meaningful minutes in a high performance setting.  Scott often uses Linkedin to transmit his thoughts on rugby in America.  The image below represents a recent post regarding Meaningful Match Minutes (MMM) for two young Eagles.  There is no doubt that he intends to use ARC to provide these minutes.  Mooneyham, Golla, Tidwell, Issacs, and Alikhan have all been added recently to the roster.  We should expect more future Eagles to end up with Anthem.

The third seed being planted is high quality international matches.   As I have stated prior, without secured funding it is really difficult for the Eagles to build a match schedule years in advance.  That being said, there is clear intent on the kind of schedule Scott intends to achieve.  It will be a balance of Tier 2 Nations that challenged the US in recent RWC Qualifiers – Chile, Portugal, Canada, and the likes of Uruguay.  But, expect a good smattering of Tier 1 Nations as well.  Qualification through PNC will ensure matches against Fiji, Japan, Samoa, and/or Tonga.  But, with recent Summer tests that included England, Ireland, and Scotland; expect some front half Tier 1 nations to be included.  In order to achieve the goal of Moonshot (RWC Quarter Final), the US will have to beat several Tier 2 nations and a lower ranked Tier 1.  Apollo is the vehicle to prepare the Eagles to sharpen themselves against these nations.

Conclusions

I could be absolutely off of my rocker with respect to the “seeds” mentioned above.  But, I don’t think so.  Through clear intent and articulation, Scott Lawrence has made his well conceived plan known to the rugby world.  His vision is clear.  His intentions are unwavering.  Perhaps it is precisely because of Moonshot 2031 that USAR and World Rugby removed the interim label.  And make no mistake, World Rugby had a hand in his hiring.  He has illuminated a slow growth path designed to help the Eagles hang with the big dogs.  The potential of tapping into the US sports market has forced both USAR and WR to be patient and forward thinking.  These are two rare commodities in the sports landscape.  But, if we put our full weight into this bold plan, America can achieve the unthinkable.

Rob Hammerschmidt "The Hammer" Dean of Students

I have always had a passion for sports having played football and wrestled at an early age. I did not find egg shaped ball until a young adult. I have been hooked ever since. After my playing days were over I was always searching for an outlet to connect with the game, not too long after I became a youth coach for my son’s team. I never thought that I would start a podcast or be involved in the professional game. The Rugby Rant started as a fun outlet but has become a labor of love. It has allowed me follow the game with some great mates… whom I never would have met without it. I also have the tremendous honor of working as the Chicago Hounds sideline reporter. 8 games a season I get to walk on the grass at Dawg Town and provide folks at home with a glimpse of what it is like to be there beside me.

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