Hodges, who has recovered from a knee injury suffered in June, will lead five other 1999 veterans down under, including scrum-half Kevin Dalzell, hooker Kirk Khasigian, lock Alec Parker, number eight Dan Lyle and lock Luke Gross.

Gross, the first American to play in 50 official Test matches, holds the record for most caps for the Eagles.

The squad includes only one uncapped player, Brigham Young University centre Salesi Sika, who impressed coach Tom Billups with his performance for the USA 'A' against Russia in July.

"A full Test calendar this year has provided us with opportunities to evaluate and work with many players," coach Tom Billups said.

"This squad reflects a very thorough selection process."

The US squad will play Fiji and Scotland in Brisbane, Japan in Gosford, and France in Wollongong.

Forwards: Todd Clever (University of Nevada, Reno), Dan Dorsey (unaffiliated), Oloseti Fifita (unaffiliated), Hayward Griffins (Hayward, CA), Jurie Gouws (Santa Monica, CA), Luke Gross (Rotherham, England), David Hodges, (Llanelli, Wales), Kirk Khasigian (Belmont Shore, Long Beach, CA), Gerhard Klerck (Gentlemen of Aspen, CO), Richard Liddington, (Exeter, England), Dan Lyle (Leicester Tigers, England), Mike MacDonald (University of California, Berkeley), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen, CO), Kort Schubert (Olympic, San Francisco, CA), John Tarpoff (OMBAC, San Diego, CA), Jacob Waasdorp (Trinity College, Ireland), Matt Wyatt (OMBAC, San Diego, CA).