Mullen, Lasike named to USA Eagles Roster for Final WCQ Match

HERRIMAN, UT (November 16, 2022) – Utah Warriors Paul Mullen and Paul Lasike have been added to the Eagles’ roster for their final World Cup Qualifying Match against Portugal this Friday, November 18, USA Rugby announced Wednesday.

Friday’s match marks the third, and final, World Cup Qualifying Match for the USA Eagles in Dubai. The Eagles defeated Kenya 68-14 and Hong Kong 49-7 in the first two rounds. Warriors’ Mullen and Lasike both started each match for USA Rugby.

The Eagles would qualify for the 2023 World Cup in France with a victory over Portugal, while a loss would cause USA Rugby to miss the World Cup for just their second time.

ROSTER | One last runout here from Dubai, ready to get after it.

Watch it all LIVE on @therugbynetwork https://t.co/m2mPoQpefN

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 16, 2022

“First and foremost, I’m incredibly proud of this team and the performances they have put forth over the last two months, since first assembling in Colorado,” said USA Eagles Head Coach Gary Gold. “We continue to improve, both on and off the pitch, and the results are a reflection of the team’s positivity. We understand the implications this match brings, however that challenge has the group excited to compete and we remain confident in our preparation. Portugal have shown to be a formidable team, they have earned their spot in this final game, just as we have. Both sides have worked incredibly hard to get to this point, so I think we can expect an inspiring 80 minutes of world class rugby on Friday.”

Lasike joined W Nation, a weekly Warriors Podcast and YouTube show, last week to discuss the challenge facing the Eagles in Dubai.

“Urgency, that’s the word that comes to my mind,” Lasike told Jarom Jordan on W Nation. “Everyone here is under pressure and that’s basically the reality of our situation … We understand the severity of our situation right now. It literally is do-or-die for the World Cup. Everyone is going to have to give everything they have in order for us to get the results that we want.”

"Everyone is going to have to give everything they have in order for us to get the results that we want."

Paul Lasike joined W Nation to talk about the Warriors, Dubai, playing with team USA and trying to qualify for the World Cup. #ForTheNation

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) November 11, 2022

Lasike will start at the center position for the Eagles on Friday, wearing the No. 12 jersey and making his 22nd international appearance. Mullen, meanwhile, will start as tighthead prop for the USA, wearing No. 3 and earning his 30th cap for the Eagles.

Friday’s match will be streamed live on The Rugby Network beginning at 10:30AM ET.