US coach Scott Johnson has named a touring party of 27 to go for two Tests in Japan over the next fortnight, with a strong forward bias in the selection.
There are 15 forwards to 12 backs in the squad, which includes the big names playing in Europe at the moment, and is likely to try and present as physical a challenge to the quick Japanese side as possible.
"Japan will be very quick and very intense," Johnson said.
"It will be a very fast game and the new laws cater to that style. Although it will take us and the rest of the developing rugby unions a while to get there, that is the future of this game and we need to start building to that.
"There are a few new lads on this squad that I was excited to get to see play in Salt Lake City and the squad on the whole is more fit than they have been in the past."
The Eagles leave for Japan on Tuesday, after spending a couple of days in Salt Lake City recovering from their 43-9 win over Uruguay last weekend. The first Test is on Sunday in Nagoya, followed by a second in Tokyo next Saturday.
"The great thing about this game is that you get to play abroad," Johnson added.
"When we get some downtime we won't be sitting in the hotel room, we will be experiencing their culture. We have a long history with Japan and it will be good for the boys to learn about it and get out there and mix with the locals."
US tour squad:
Forwards: Inaki Basauri (Agen), Todd Clever (Xerox Lions), Mark Crick (Potomac Athletic Club), J.J. Gagiano (University of Cape Town), Scott Lavalla (Trinity College, Dublin), Brian LeMay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Courtney Mackay (Auckland Development), Matekitonga Moeakiola (Unattached), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), Shawn Pittman (San Francisco Golden Gate), Pat Quinn (Denver Barbarians), Hayden Smith (Saracens), John VanderGiessen (Denver Barbarians), Joe Welch (Cal).
Backs: Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs), Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma), Chad Erskine (Rotherham), Mike Hercus (IBM), Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz), Thretton Palamo (Biarritz), Mike Petri (NYAC), Robbie Shaw (Connacht and Galwegians), Junior Sifa (Middleton), Roland Suniula (Pearl City), Chris Wyles (Saracens).
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