US rugby in despair after World Cup flop but Eagles insist on signs of hope

Eight years before America hosts the finals, players including props who conceded key penalties against Chile and Portugal remain young and full of promise

In Dubai on Friday night, at a frenetic last-minute ruck, the US prop Jack Iscaro conceded the penalty Portugal kicked for a 16-16 draw, enough to secure a place at the Rugby World Cup in France and condemn the Eagles to watch from home.

The Americans were in the final qualification tournament because in Colorado in July they lost a similarly tight game to Chile. Then, a last-minute penalty that might've saved the game was reversed, because the prop Chance Wenglewski made an illegal clear-out.