National Collegiate Rugby’s Men’s All-Americans host one of Ireland’s top amateur clubs, Cork Constitution, for an international friendly Thursday August 20 at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, MA. at 6 p.m. EDT. 

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Cork Constitution competes in Division 1A of the All Ireland League (AIL), the country’s premier level of amateur play, producing Irish international greats like Ronan O’Gara, Peter O’Mahony and Simon Zebo. 

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The match marks the All-Americans’ second-straight summer hosting an AIL club, having defeated Ballynahinch, 13-10, in Quincy, MA last June. Cork Con finished fifth in 25/26 AIL standings and Ballynahinch eighth. 

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The All-Americans will assemble on Friday, August 14 and train at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, MA, the site of a build-up match Monday August 17 at 6 p.m. A 28-player roster has been selected for the All-Americans, with an additional 10 players in the extended training squad. 

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The staff is led by Director of Rugby Thomas Clark and Head Coach Ed Turbidy, who have seen the All-Americans to a 4-0 all-time record over the program’s first two summers, including an undefeated tour of France in 2024. 

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Eight members of last year’s squad from the win over Hinch return for a go against Cork Con – St. Bonaventure’s Tanya Takaendisa, Reynard Boshoff, Maseah Young and Koen Webb, Mary Washington’s Aaron Juma, Dartmouth’s Gjergi Bacuku, and AIC’s Lei Schaff. 

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Among key players making their All-American debut is DI Player of the Year finalist Jack Waterhouse. The former age-grade South African was outstanding in his first full season at Notre Dame, and will be a key player both at lineout time and with ball in hand. 

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Flyhalf Gavin McNicholl is a talented young playmaker and the only Fordham player on the side. Belmont Abbey sophomore Harry Tuisila is another up-and-coming halfback, and he’s flanked by fellow Crusader, Ollie Fussell.

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The lone Division II player to earn selection is UNC-Wilmington’s Maxton Buckingham. The rising senior was a finalist for DII Player of the Year, helping the Seahawks to back-to-back 7s national championships. DIII Player of the Year, Joe Moleski, is on the extended training squad. 

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Dartmouth’s Ethan Knight is a skilled and experienced addition to the All-American backline. He plays flyhalf for the Big Green, but he’s just as effective and capable in the centers or at fullback.  

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The Cork Con match will be played on the Irish Cultural Center’s Gaelic Athletic Association pitch, ticketed and livestreamed on NCR TV. The Monday scrimmage will be open to the public but not streamed.       

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All-American Roster

Tanya Takaendisa - St. Bonaventure

Matthew Cooper - Walsh

Reynard Boshoff - St. Bonaventure

Hamish Yeldham - Dartmouth

Gjergji Bacuku - Dartmouth

Asa Rosenmeier - Brown

Keanin Kamp - Queens

Maseah Young - St. Bonaventure

Owen Clarke - Brown

Jack Waterhouse - Notre Dame

Harvey Hogan - Siena

Fraser Leslie - Walsh

Daniel Lowther - St. Bonaventure

Donough Lawlor - Syracuse

Aaron Juma - Mary Washington

Max Buckingham - UNC Wilmington

Bobby Voth - Brown

Troy Heroldt - St. Bonaventure

Koen Webb - St Bonaventure

Harrison Tu’isila - Belmont Abbey

Lei Schaaf - AIC

Archie Grayson - Kutztown

Oliver Fussell - Belmont Abbey

Wolfe Moran - Brown

Dara Falope - St. Bonaventure

Ethan Knight - Dartmouth

Aya Mkhokeli - Walsh

Gavin McNicholl - Fordham

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Extended Training Squad

Shiv Kelly - Siena

Cassius Grimes - Fairfield

Philip Tracey - Bowling Green

Jack Worobel - Vermont

Luke Boals - Fairfield

Ryan Esfahanian - Northeastern

Alex Brescio - Northeastern

Jack Burns - Siena

Joe Moleski - Franciscan

Inigo Langford - Brown

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All-American Staff

Head Coach Edward Tubridy - Northeastern

Director of Rugby Thomas Clark

Manager Phil Ciccarelli - UMass

Manager Ward Spangenberg - Wentworth 

Attack/Backs Coach Troy Hall - Clemson

Scrum Coach David LaFlamme - Brown

Forwards/Set Piece Coach Brad Tucker - Siena

Defense/Contact Coach Justin Hickey - Notre Dame

Attack/Backs - Sean Lamont - Scotland

Performance Analyst Craig Wilson - Yale

S&C Coach Shane Dempsey - OMBAC

Athletic Trainer Kelly Texeira - Brown

Shadow Coach Connor Robinson - Boston College 

Consultant Danny Neighbour - St. Bonaventure 

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