Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America

More exciting news for USA Rugby is the recent signing of Eagle forward Shawn Pittman to London Welsh for the 2010/2011 season!

The tighthead prop – who enjoyed an excellent Churchill Cup recently – was the Man of the Match during USA’s 39-22 win over Russia.

EaglesXV managed to catch up with Shawn just before he left for England.

EaglesXV: Tell us a bit about how you started playing rugby?

Shawn Pittman: I started when I was 18 years old. A couple of my good friends have been playing since there were 16 and one night they asked me to give it a try.

EaglesXV: Can you list all the positions you have played, and who was responsible for moving you to prop?

Shawn Pittman: Well this is kinda funny! At club level I’ve played everything except 9 and 2, but on the National teams I’ve played everything in the pack except 2. I think it was Salty Thompson who saw that I would succeed at prop and not in the back row.

EaglesXV: The Churchill Cup was part of the RWC preparation. How did you enjoy the experience, and do you think the USA need more time together as a squad, especially before the World Cup?

Shawn Pittman: It was great! It really let’s you play at a high level compared to what you’re use too. I think it would be really helpful if we got more time together. More camps and more games at the Churchill Cup level would be very beneficial to our team, and our success.

EaglesXV: How did you organize your contract with London Welsh? You are one of several players to gain high-profile contracts overseas. What will the benefits be by playing in the UK?

Shawn Pittman: London Welsh just contacted me after the France game (in the Churchill Cup) and it went from there. They helped me out a lot with the visa side of it and rushed it along. I'm going to be able to play at a high level year round and play against other high level international players. My scrumming will benefit the most in those conditions.

EaglesXV: You must be super excited at the opportunity! Have you been in touch with any of the other Eagles who are based in the UK?

Shawn Pittman: Well Mike Petri really helped me out after he did his visa. He sent me all the links to the websites and told me what to read and what to fill out. It would have been very difficult without his help!

EaglesXV: A massive congratulations on the contract Shawn, and we look forward to hearing about your progress soon!

Shawn Pittman: Thank you so much, and keep up the great work on EaglesXV!

Feel free to email EaglesXV any questions you want answered, or which players you want to hear from!

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Cheers,

Paki

Dallen Stanford played 54 matches for the USA 7s team throughout his career spanning from 2006 to 2009, including 13 IRB 7s tournament appearances and the 2009 Sevens World Cup. He currently resides in Austin Texas, writes several rugby columns (www.RugbyZone.com; www.UR7s.com; www.RugbyIQ.com, www.PakisCorner.com) and works for the Tackling Cancer Foundation (www.TacklingCancer.org).