WORCESTER Warriors hooker Joe Taufete'e has been called up to USA's 30-man squad ahead of the Emirates Airline Summer Series and Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifiers this June and July.

The powerful front row has bagged two tries in ten appearances since joining Warriors.

Taufete'e has returned to his homeland in preparation for the internationals which begin next month.

The USA squad of 18 forwards and 12 backs will take on third-ranked Ireland and 12th-ranked Georgia before seeking qualification to the 2019 World Cup in Japan, as they take on Canada in a two-match aggregate series.

Head coach John Mitchell said: "To be Americas 1, to have the challenge of playing against England, France, and Argentina in Pool C at the World Cup, is very important to us.

“It is something we value, and we know it has to be earned. We would be very proud to represent the United States of America as the Americas' top seed and be authentically competitive against these nations."