RWC 2027 Draw - USA reaction (Lawrence, Damm) - RWC 2027 Draw
Scott Lawrence, head coach
On being drawn against France, Japan and Samoa in Pool E:
"I don't have any feelings about it. It's a World Cup, all games are tough, so we're ready for whatever, and we'll prepare just the same. We are a little bit familiar with Japan and we'll see with Samoa what players become available as we get closer to the World Cup."
On the approach to conditioning with three games in a row:
"It starts now so we can put ourselves in a position physically to be able to compete. We will work with our athlete performance staff, leading in and during the tournament. The nice part of a two-year run-in is you get to look at the facilities and the bases and put together the best plan. The things we can control is we have our players who are in Europe are playing well, and those who are based domestically have a really good off-season with an eye towards building in September 2027."
On the scope to try different players over the next two years or trying to get the squad locked in:
"Cohesion is the most important thing. Teams in our band do well because of that cohesion. We'll look at a squad that by 2026 in a large part will go to the World Cup, then we'll look at fixtures and hope to build combinations."
On waiting until the draw to begin the detailed planning:
"You've always got a plan of when you want to be in camp, when you want to compete, putting markers in place. Those were to be decided, now we will start to target some of those things.
"There's a pretty good coaching network and we'll also have a number of tech advisors. We picked up a world-class coach who has been to three World Cups as a planning advisor which we think will help us prepare."
On RWC 2027 as a stepping stone to the 2031 tournament which is being held in the USA:
"You assume that a style of rugby will get the public on board, but in the USA they like winners and they don't necessarily care how. The rest of the world gets really concerned about style, and there's a lot of debate around that. They just want to see their team perform well in these World Cups. The build to 2031 is a broader plan; 2027 is one piece of that plan but it's not the only stepping stone."
On the team's targets at RWC 2027:
"We want to get to the knockout round, that's the clear goal. Anything can happen from there. Our goal is to be beyond that in two World Cups' time. From not getting wins from previous World Cups, it's important that we go there and build some momentum."
Jason Damm, captain
On being drawn against France, Japan and Samoa in Pool E:
"I'm just excited to play. Excited to play against France as I've never played against them before."
On the approach to conditioning with three games in a row:
"I think it's about having complete buy-in to whatever plan the staff put in place for us. They do a great job of looking after us, making sure we are ready for the most important minutes. Training is crucial but if we have to dial it back to be ready for the game, we will."
On RWC 2027 as a stepping stone to the 2031 tournament which is being held in the USA:
"We want to compete, we want to win, to generate energy, put a performance out that we are proud of. The results will speak for themselves but if we can continue to generate belief in the USA and in the younger generations, then it's only going to bring positive things."
On playing France:
"From my experience playing tier 1 sides, it's always nice to see how you stack up against those guys. It would be cool if Antoine Dupont is playing that match. I've never played against France so I'd love that opportunity."
On Japan:
"I love playing against Japan. I really like their style and speed of play. They have really clear intentions of what they want to do, so every time we play against them, it's great. And obviously Samoa brings the physicality.
On laying the platform for the team in 2031:
"Oh, it's immense. It's everything. I have no ambition of being in the 2031 World Cup squad, I will be long gone by the time that comes around. But it's such an exciting opportunity for the fellas who have the potential to be involved. I could have some overlap with those guys, so I can rub off a little bit of what it means to be an Eagle on them and help influence them. To go out an build solid performances and give these guys something to really strive towards. I remember being that young guy and looking up to the Eagles and really wanting that to be me one day."
