United States Eagles goes into high gear this weekend.

The team will be spending the two days at the Belmont Hotel training, discussing tactics and watching videotapes of the Eagles during their recent matches.

Though the national side were the only ones to defeat Queen's University during their recent tour, it was clear that the team was uncomfortable with the new tactics coach Kieron Peacock was trying to introduce.

It remains to be seen whether they can -- in less than two weeks -- adjust to a new way of playing. Their success against the Eagles depends on their ability to adapt.

The Eagles were dealt a blow when it was revealed that prop Jimmy Johnson and flanker Michael Siano will not be making the trip, though lock Chris Campbell quit the Life Chiropractic College in Atlanta to make the trip.

On paper the United States appear to be formidable. The average height of their forwards is six-feet-two-inches with an average weight of 233 pounds, while their backs average height is five-foot-10-inches and 192 pounds.

Apart from their obvious advantage in the scrums and line outs, the Eagles do not have much experience and this could be a key ingredient.

Following Sunday's final round of league games the starting team was named, and there were a few changes from the team that defeated Queen's University.

In are Richard Raistrick, Neil Alexander and Phil Heaney, while Billy MacNiven, Terry Walsh and Keith Beattie have been dropped from the squad.

Bermuda captain Alvin Harvey said he was pleased with the team that has been selected although Heaney and Dave Conway are recovering from injuries.

"Unlike other countries we are limited in the pool of players we have to choose from, but I am confident that both Phil and Dave will be fully fit on match day.'' Bermuda squad for World Cup qualifier: Danny Forsythe, David Cooke and Neil Alexander (front row), Ashley Redmond and Danny Cozens (second row), Sean Field and Patrick Cooper (flankers) and Richard Raistrick (number eight).

Andrew Correia (scrum half), Scott Correia (centre), Phil Heaney (fly half), Dave Conway (outside centre), Mike Montgomery (full back), Butch Robinson and Alvin Harvey (wingers).