The USA Eagles will have to move on quickly.

Following a somewhat difficult two-match series against Australia XV in October, which provided Test-match-level conditioning and an opportunity to stress-test the depth of the squad, the Eagles now head across the pond to Europe to complete the final rounds of the 2026 Nations Cup.

Although recent results haven't necessarily gone their way, the Nations Cup is a competition in which the USA have enjoyed considerable success so far. The Eagles secured three wins from three back in July, during the first Nations Cup Test matches played on American soil.

Here's a look at what's coming up this November, along with some of the key numbers and storylines to keep an eye on.

A Nations Cup title still within reach

With the competition split into two Pools, the Americas and Pacific Island nations make up one Pool, while Europe, Africa and Asia compete in the other Pool. 

The USA currently sit at the top of their Pool with 14 points after three wins and two bonus points, having defeated Portugal 30-29, Zimbabwe 31-15 and Spain 29-22. Georgia are the only other team in the competition to match the Eagles' three wins and 14-point tally in their Pool.

With the team accumulating the most points across both pools crowned Nations Cup champions, there is still plenty to play for heading into November.

Three Tests in Europe await

Currently ranked 15th in the world, the USA will play three matches during the November window, all on European soil.

First up on Saturday, November 8, is 24th-ranked Hong Kong China at Stade Marcel-Verchère in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. The Eagles last faced Hong Kong China in November 2022 at the Rugby World Cup Qualifying Repechage Tournament in Dubai, where the USA came away with a victory.

The team will then travel to Bucharest, Romania, to take on the 21st-ranked hosts. It's somewhat familiar territory for the Eagles, who defeated Romania 26-18 last November in Bucharest to lift the Pershing Cup.

The final fixture could prove to be a potential Nations Cup decider, as the Eagles travel to Tbilisi to face 13th-ranked Georgia. It's a challenging assignment against a side the USA lost to last November and haven't beaten since November 2013.

The numbers so far

The Eagles head into the second half of the Nations Cup campaign boasting one of the competition's strongest defensive records, having conceded just nine tries. Portugal are the only other team to have conceded as few.

Chris Hilsenbeck remains the USA's leading points scorer in the competition with 21 points. Across the campaign, eight players have contributed to the Eagles' 11 tries, with Perry Mayo, Paddy Ryan and Cory Daniel each scoring twice.

It's a solid platform to build on, particularly with three challenging fixtures still to come.

Potential debutants and returning talent in Lawrence's squad

USA Eagles Men's Head Coach Scott Lawrence has selected a 30-man squad for the European tour, with a significant 21 players from the USA Eagles EPS squad either injured or unavailable. Among them is veteran Chicago Hounds scrum-half Ruben De Haas, who hobbled off during last Friday's match against Australia XV.

De Haas had been in line to earn his 50th cap for the Eagles during the November tour, making his absence a significant one.

Nonetheless, there are some exciting inclusions following the Australia XV series.

In the backs, Old Glory DC flyer John Rizzo comes back into the squad in search of his USA Eagles debut. He gets his opportunity after an impressive MLR season in which he scored six tries across 10 games and earned selection to the All-MLR Second Team following his outstanding performances.

Tom Pittman, a center from Anthem RC's 2026 squad, also returns to the side. Pittman impressed in MLR last season, establishing himself as one of the league's top five in carries made.

It's also great to see Seattle Seawolves speedster from the 2026 season, Rufus McLean, back in the squad, alongside Perry Mayo, who was one of the Eagles' standout performers during the Nations Cup in July.

One younger player worth keeping an eye on is Spencer Huntley who comes into the squad. The Southern California product, who has come through Legion Academy and previously captained the USA U20s, is now playing his rugby with Hartpury University in the UK. With De Haas unavailable, Huntley could even be in line for an international debut. He's certainly one to watch as a potential scrum-half for the USA in the years ahead.

In the forwards, the standout returning name is 2026 MLR All-First Team selection Charlie Abel of the Chicago Hounds. The tighthead prop, who has recently signed with Oyonnax in France's Pro D2, will undoubtedly bring some added firepower to the Eagles' front row.

Abel earned his first cap for the USA in the final Nations Cup match against Spain back in July, and his return will be a welcome boost.

Another player who could make his USA debut this November is Seattle Seawolves' new signing Justice Tavai, formerly of the California Legion. The former New England Patriots defensive lineman turned prop is one of 27 players in the 30-man squad who featured in Major League Rugby last season.

An opportunity to finish the year on a high

While the matches against Australia XV may have provided an opportunity to trial players, test squad depth and assess potential options for the future, USA Eagles fans will be looking for some noticeable improvements in performance throughout this Nations Cup campaign.

The Eagles' lineout and scrum will need to function far better than they did in October. Head Coach Scott Lawrence was blunt in his assessment during last Friday's post-match press conference in New Jersey, stating: "You've got to win your set piece... if you give them the ball enough times, they're going to score."

While the opposition may not be quite at the same level as Australia XV, these final three Nations Cup fixtures will present very different challenges for the Eagles. Each will offer an opportunity to build confidence, improve cohesion and, hopefully, finish the year on a high.

With the countdown to Rugby World Cup 2027 under a year away, the prospect of the Eagles competing for silverware this November is something to get excited about. There's plenty to play for, and the USA will be eager to make the most of it.

How to watch the USA Eagles this November

All USA Eagles Nations Cup matches will be available to watch on RugbyPass TV in the USA.

• USA vs Hong Kong China: 9:45 AM ET, Saturday, November 8

• USA vs Romania: 11:30 AM ET, Saturday, November 14

• USA vs Georgia: 9:00 AM ET, Saturday, November 21