USA U20 Head Coach Scott Lawrence has rung in the changes before his side’s match against Uruguay tomorrow in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy. Lawrence made seven changes to the starting lineup, mostly in the forwards, in the wake of the USA’s 42-36 loss to Russia on May 28.

The USA U20 pack gets ready to engage against Russia. (P Crane photo)

Lawrence was especially displeased with his team’s fringe defense against a largely pick-and-drive Russian attack, and made his feelings plain on RUGBYMag.com.

Hooker Drew Ohmann is dropped in favor of Patrick Latu, who came on in the second half of the USA’s loss to Russia and started the match against Samoa on May 24. Caleb Tracy moves in to take Dan Metcalf’s spot in the second row. Ohmann and Metcalf are dropped to the bench.

The back row is completely shuffled. Chuck Koehler, who has suited up at prop for the USA U20s but is a loose forward for UW-Whitewater, is set to start at blindside flanker, while the No. 6 from last week Tim O’Hara moves to No. 8. Vake Sanft moves from the base of the scrum to openside flanker and Tyler Black is dropped from the match-day 21 altogether.

The only change for the backs comes at scrumhalf, where Mike Durant takes the place of Michael Oliver.

The game will be webcast at 6 a.m. EST at www.irb.com/jwrt/video/index.html.

Uruguay – USA
Event: 2011 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy – Pool A
Kickoff: 14:00        Venue: Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia

USA
No    Name
1    OJ Auimatagi
2    Patrick Latu
3    Paul Mullen
4    Pat Coleman
5    Caleb Tracey
6    Chuck Koehler
7    Vake Sanft
8    Tim O'Hara
9    Mike Durant
10    Will Magie (C)
11    Madison Hughes
12    Bubba Jones
13    Will Farrell
14    Apelu So'oalo
15    Joe Cowley

16    Drew Ohmann    
18    Dan Metcalf
19    Mike Juszczak
20    Conor Mills
21    Jake Fallon



Uruguay
No    Name
1    Francisco Benhayon
2    Guzman Carissimi
3    Juan Echeverria
4    Franco Lammana
5    Lucas Lacoste
6    Augustin Alonso
7    Julian Specker
8    Santino Puppo
9    Alejo Duran
10    Rodrigo Silva
11    Nicolas Romano
12    Joaquin Prada
13    Felipe Berchesi (C)
14    Federico Favaro
15    Guillermo Del Cerro

17    Ignacio Buquet
18    Francisco Gomez Haedo
19    Mariano San Andrea
20    Nicolas Barbato
21    Santiago Hernandez
22    Jorge Zerbino
26    Gianluca Pasini