Luke Carty Eyes Strong Finish to USA Eagles’ Fall Tour

The USA Men’s Eagles’ Fall Tour has been anything but straightforward. A bruising defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh two weeks ago was followed by a much improved but ultimately frustrating performance against Georgia last Saturday. Two games, two losses, but one final shot at redemption awaits this weekend in Bucharest, as the Eagles face Romania in their last Test of 2025.

At the center of it all is fly half Luke Carty, a player who has experienced his share of ups and downs in the Eagles jersey and whose own journey this year mirrors that of his team.

Carty was one of the bright spots in the 42–30 loss to Georgia, scoring 15 points, including a drop goal, running the attack with control and confidence. Yet the newly signed Anthem Rugby Carolina playmaker knows progress, not praise, is the goal.

“Being away from Test rugby for six or seven weeks showed,” Carty admits, reflecting on the tour’s shaky start against Scotland. “You train as hard as you can, but nothing really replicates that Test-level speed, fitness, and physicality.

“I understand people were disappointed; it was tough to watch (against Scotland). But no one took that loss harder than the players and staff. We put it behind us and were pleased with how we responded against Georgia. Our attack and breakdown were much better. For large parts, we were in control and felt we should have won. In the end, it came down to a few key moments and decisions.”

Those words could just as easily apply to Carty’s year as a whole. Despite being one of the Eagles’ most experienced backs, the Irish-born fly half wasn’t selected for the summer Tests or the Pacific Nations Cup. When AJ MacGinty became unavailable in September, Carty was recalled for the closing matches of the PNC, featuring off the bench against Japan before producing a composed, match-defining performance in the Rugby World Cup qualifier win over Samoa.

Coming off what he called “an MLR season that wasn’t my best,” Carty knew he had to deliver - and did just that. The win sealed the USA’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and reignited his international prospects.

“It’s been an up-and-down year,” laughs Carty. “But if you don’t back yourself and believe in yourself, no one else really will, right? You’re not always going to be in the team. You’ll have poor games, you’ll have good games, that’s rugby. It’s about getting back on the horse.

“I missed out in the summer but stayed ready, and thankfully it paid off. I try not to get too high when things are going well or too low when they’re not. My older brother Jack’s been through it all in his career [for Ireland & Connacht], I’ll often ring him for advice, and he usually gives it to me straight.”

Carty’s steady temperament will again be key when the Eagles face Romania, but also next season, when he begins a new chapter in Major League Rugby with Anthem Rugby Carolina. The 28-year-old was among the franchises’ first 2026 signings, and he’s excited by the project taking shape in Charlotte.

“I’ve spoken with a lot of the guys at Anthem as there are plenty of USA players and staff involved across coaching and performance,” says Carty. “There’s a real ambition to build something. It was a bit of a no-brainer for me. I’ve turned 28 and I want to push for that 2027 World Cup squad. To do that, I need to be playing regularly and performing consistently. I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead.”

For now, though, Carty’s focus is firmly on Romania, where he’ll once again wear the No. 10 jersey. The Eagles fly half knows how much of a “big game” it is in the context of the World Rugby rankings leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw early next month.

“The first time I played Romania was in 2023, and they’ve definitely improved since then,” states Carty. “It’ll be a tough match. But we’re focused on learning from last week and executing our plan.

“As a group, we know it might look like we sometimes take a step forward and then one back, but we believe we’re building stronger connections, an identity, and a shared understanding of how we want to play. Ultimately, though, we’ll be judged on our performance and results. This weekend is another chance to show that progress and put ourselves in the best possible position for the World Cup pool draw.”

Saturday 10AM ET: Romania vs USA Eagles | Paramount+