In our latest preview of teams competing in next month's Rugby World Cup, Eurosport looks at Pool A minnows the USA.

USA

World ranking: 15

Coach: Peter Thorburn

Key players: Mike MacDonald, Mike Hercus (pictured), Luke Gross

The United States Eagles won their first ever game in the Rugby World Cup a 21-18 victory over Japan in 1987 but had to wait another 11 years before securing their second victory, which came against the same opponents.

They came close in 1999 when they went down 27-25 to Romania, and four years later they lost a 19-18 nail-biter to Fiji before securing their one victory of the Australia tournament with a 39-26 win over Japan.

But Japan remain the only side they have beaten in a World Cup and they will be hard pressed to improve on that record this year as they have been drawn in a difficult group.

The Eagles are in Pool A with reigning champions England, second favourites South Africa, and the tough-tackling pacific islanders Samoa and Tonga, with the latter offering their best chance.

The Eagles have always competed well up front and it is in the forwards that they will hope to gain an advantage against the free-running Tongans.

Seven of their squad played in the 2003 World Cup and coach Peter Thorburn will hope their experience stands them in good stead for the considerable challenges that await them in France.

Prop Mike MacDonald, fly-half Mike Hercus and second row Luke Gross all have experience playing in the English Premiership and will be key to their chances.

The Eagles will also be able to draw on the vast knowledge and experience of their federation president Nigel Melville, who played for England in the 1987 tournament and had success as coach at Wasps and Gloucester.

Rugby World Cup record

1987: One pool win

1991: No wins

1995: Did not qualify

1999: No wins

2003: One pool win

Squad

Forwards: Mike MacDonald, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Chris Osentowski, John Vitale, Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Luke Gross, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Alec Parker, Inaki Basauri, Mark Aylor, Tasi Mounga, Todd Clever, Dan Payne, Louis Stanfill, Henry Bloomfield.

Backs: Chad Erskine, Mike Petri, Mike Hercus, Valenese Malifa, Phillip Eloff, Vaha Esikia, Thretton Palamo, Albert Tuipulotu, Paul Emerick, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Salesi Sika, Chris Wyles, Francois Viljoen.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport