Five things we learned from interviewing Rob Cain, and things all aspiring Eagles need to know.

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USA vs Ireland Nov 18

He Doesn't Think He Knows Everything

Cain has been traveling the country - not just to tell people how to play the Rob Cain way, but to learn what players are out there, and how teams are coaching those players. It's partly for image, surely, but it's important.

He Is Hiring

Cain's trip around the country hasn't been for show. He's been looking for players. He's made it clear, in a nice way, that what the Eagles have accomplished the last few years isn't the best they can do, and maybe, just maybe, part of that is because of the players in the squad.

Hence the trip around the nation, checking out college and club practices, not just games, to see who is out there, and how they are being coached.

He Is Unafraid Of Youth

An ongoing criticism of the club game throughout the USA is that for years it was difficult for young players to break into key starting roles. Older, often overseas, players were preferred as they were a known entity and less likely to make mistakes. They were also less likely to move the needle on the international stage. In both the men's and women's game, some international coaches have dealt with this by circumventing the club pipeline and going straight to the colleges ... or even high school.

Cain has no compunction selecting college players. He's looking for talent.

He Is Making Connections

Cain and his coaches have been spending upwards of a week at various locations. He connects with colleges and WPL teams in the location, and makes sure that before he shows up, he has contacted players who are already in the player pool.

This is a smart move and is keeps those players included in the process. Those players are asked to undergo some testing - so there's also an aspect of accountability. 

The result? Very positive.

"We watch the players being coaches because we're making sure we're all singing from the same hymn sheet," Cain said. "We've been really well received. And then many of the WPL clubs have offered for us to sort of lead training."

More Test Matches Are Coming

Cain acknowledges that the USA team needs to play more and play regularly. Women's HP head Emilie Bydwell has been working on that and Cain hinted strongly that she has been successful.

"It's hugely important," he told FloRugby. "You learn so much when you play. I know in the past the Women’s Eagles haven’t played that much and that’s going to change. I am here to coach and to coach you need test matches"

We want to make sure that every player that comes in to wear an eagle shirt has the opportunity to play five, six, or seven times a year. Want to make that the norm."