The first internationals of the year take place in Las Vegas on Friday 27 February as USA host Scotland in an U19 men’s and senior women’s and men’s triple header. The games take place Coronado High School with 15.45, 18.00 and 20.15 kick offs respectively, local time. 

Both the senior men’s and women’s encounters will be played for world ranking points. Those games build on USA’s last outings this time last year, also in Las Vegas, when the women overcame Greece 46-0 but the men went down 46-10 to their Hellenic counterparts..

At U19s, Scotland won 32-10 win when the nations met in Serbia at the 2024 European Championship. Both are set to compete in the 2026 U19s event in France in July and will be using this game to give a new cohort of players experience ahead of the summer. 

USARL chair, Matt Goschnick, commented: “The USARL board is excited to see all the squads get together and to build on last year’s event here. It shows a commitment to pathways and development.” USA women’s head coach, Troy Clarkson, added: “We are excited to work with the new bunch of women and set a new standard with them,” while for new men’s head coach Adam Woolnough: “This is a new start for the rugby league in the US.”

Scotland men’s head coach Adam Houston, who draws on eight players from the Scotland Premier League, noted: “This fixture could be a significant moment in Scotland Rugby League getting back to where we belong. We have a talented group, some boys receiving their first cap who have shown commitment and sacrifice to be here.”

“It’s another important step in the continued development of the Scotland Rugby League women’s programme,” said women’s assistant coach Gareth Nicholson, who takes charge of the side for this their third match. “We’re still in the early stages of building our international identity, but the progress within this squad has been significant.”

Scotland U19 men’s head coach, Mick Piper, noted: “Everyone involved with the Scotland Rugby League Under 19’s programme are incredibly excited about the game. The opportunity for these young men to travel to the United States and play a competitive friendly, in Las Vegas, is just amazing.”

SQUADS:

USA U19 men
Kavika Afemata, Jaxson Bonsall, Kaiden Grant, Julian Lauti, Kolotolu Liti, Lanselota Olive-Enos (LA Roosters) Shawlee Ama, J Cannon Chadburn, Nehemiah Fauolo, Sofele Hansen, Jacob Dylan Meng, Krue Miner, Drayson Moliga, Tumua Moors, Noa Paea, Neil Smith, Lauaki Su’a (West Valley Pittbullz)

Scotland U19 men
Lucas Anderson-Moore (Barrow Island), Harrison Goldthorpe (Bradford Bulls), Isaac Maclean (Dalton Dragons / Furness Raiders), Max Erasmus, Ben Milnes (Edinburgh Eagles), Shaun Callan, Arran Jamieson (Glasgow RL), Harry Woodard (Hemel Stags), Connor McGuinness (Huddersfield Giants), Seth Clapham (Leeds Beckett), Zack Emerson (Newsome Panthers), Jacob Walker (Seaton Rangers), Oscar Ellicott-McCulloch, Spencer Nicholson (Sherwood Wolf Hunt), Lewis Wright (Stanley Rangers), Charlie Jackson (Stanningley RLFC), Jarrod Jones (West Hull ARLFC), Ethan Frary (York Acorn)

USA women
Sarah Esther Anderson, Josephine Asumang, Mia Blocher, Nicole Fisch,  Tiana Granby,  Isabel Henderson, Brandice Neal,  Brittany Royes, Kadie Sanford, ShaMarica Scott, Taylor White (East) Maiah Alofaituli, Jeanna Beard, Paris Hart, Salataima Venaiah Mamea,  Teree Okabe, Sydney Rae Pua,  Afi Tone (West)

Scotland women
Nicole Stewart (Barrow Raiders), Raphaella Aquilina, Enya Lackie, Robyn Anderson Price (Bristol Golden Ferns), Grace Field (Leeds Rhinos), Rebecca Smart (London Broncos), Stephanie Gray (Salford Red Devils), Betti Ginnelly (Stewartry Sirens), Ciorstaidh Ainsworth (Stirling County), Georgia Briggs, Morgan Pearson, Samantha Simpson, Emma Welsford (Swinton Lionesses), Isabel Glover (Thatto Heath),  Olivia Barnard (Wigan St Patrick’s), Rebecca White (Workington Town), Cerys Gregory (York Valkyrie)

USA men
Tevita Bryce, Jace Delaney, Kyle Granby, Anson Jiang, Peter Lupton (Brooklyn Kings) Ryan Burroughs, Daniel Vidot (DC Calvary) Jason Martin, David Washington (Jacksonville Axemen) Shingirai Hlanguyo   , Tyler Sisley, Esteban Tupuola (LA Roosters) Fatai Makavaha (Provo Broncos) Celcius Tarawhiti (Riverton Seagulls) Wes Piggins (Southwest Florida Copperheads) Joe Eichner, Matt Finnesy (Tampa Mayhem)

Scotland men
Brett Carter, Max Anderson-Moore (Barrow Raiders), Peter Burns, Lewis Clarke, Tom Murray, George Shannon (Edinburgh Eagles), Luke Punton (Glebe Dirty Reds), Kieran Moran (Midlands Hurricanes), Connor Terrill (Millom), Dan Turland (Mudgeeraba Redbacks), Joe Kirkup (Penrith RUFC), Ross Whitmore (Rochdale Hornets), Jacob Grierson (Siddal), Andrew Brown, Corrie Dicks, Jordan Duncan, Niall Hall (West End Warriors), Ben Morris (Unattached)