Eagles head coach Eddie O'Sullivan is confident he has the players at his disposal to take a valuable lead over Uruguay back to the US.

The United States take on Uruguay in the first leg of their Rugby World Cup qualifer in Montevideo.

O'Sullivan leads the Eagles into a last-chance play-off against the South Americans to make the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand as the Americas 2 qualifying side, which will take its place in Pool C against Australia, Ireland, Italy and the Europe 2 qualifier.

With the second leg on home soil in Florida on November 21, the former Ireland boss wants to return to the States with plenty of points on the board from the opening match of the aggregate series against a team the Eagles have beaten nine times, losing only once in the last 20 years.

"We've got a very solid pool of players selected for these matches," O'Sullivan said.

"Almost all of the players have been involved through the summer schedule, which will make it easier to for the team to gel given the limited preparation time before the first Test

"Uruguay had some very solid performances throughout the summer against tough opposition in Russia, Romania and Scotland. They will be very keen to throw down a marker on home soil."

Oxford University's Will Johnson starts at tighthead prop for the Eagles with Hayden Smith of Saracens in the second row while South Africa-based captain Todd Clever leads from the back row.

Nottingham RFC's Tim Usasz gets the nod at scrum-half ahead of Mike Petri with veteran Mike Hercus at fly-half while Ireland-based Junior Sifa partners Paul Emerick in midfield.

O'Sullivan has plenty of speed out wide with Biarritz's Takudzwa Ngwenya and USA sevens star Kevin Swiryn on the wings, while another Saracens player Chris Wyles brings experience at full-back.

The 18th-ranked USA beat Uruguay to secure their berth at the last World Cup four years ago, outscoring the South Americans 75-20 over two legs.

Uruguay v USA, RWC 2011 qualifying play-off, 8pm GMT, Montevideo.

Uruguay: Nicolás Morales (Trébol), M Martinez (Old Christian's), J Campomar (Old Boys), N Brignioni (Oyonnax), R Capo (Castres), A Giuria (Los Cuervos), J Alzueta (Trébol); R Sanchez (Carrasco Polo), M Espiga (Old Christian's), C Arboleya (Trébol), A Corral (SIC), J Rombys (Trébol), M Sagario (Dax), M Fonseca (Los Cuervos), C Protasi (Carrasco Polo).

Reserves: J Etcheverry (Carrasco Polo), M Crosa (Old Boys), J Pastore (Old Boys - Captain), J Llovet (Old Christian's), L Leiva (Old Christian's), A Silveira (Los Cuervos), T Jolivet (Old Boys)

USA: C Wyles (Saracens), T Ngwenya (Biarritz), P Emerick (Parma FC), J Sifa (Midleton RFC), K Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), M Hercus (Gold Coast Stingrays), T Usasz (Nottingham); M Moeakiola (Pearl City RFC), P Thiel (Life University), W Johnson (Oxford University), J Van der Giessen (Sporting Club Albigeois), H Smith (Saracens), L Stanfill (New York Athletic Club), T Clever (Golden Lions - captain), N Johnson (Denver Barbarians).

Reserves: Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), Jacob Sprague (Mystic River RFC), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), JJ Gagiano (FC Roma), M Petri (New York Athletic Club), N Malifa (Belmont Shore), P Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers).