BUCHAREST, Romania – Keeping intact California rugby's strong connection to the U.S. National Team, a trio of former Golden Bears – Jack Iscaro, Sam Golla and Christian Dyer – made appearances for the Eagles in Saturday's 31-17 victory in a test match versus Romania. Golla (2022) made his international debut as the starting No. 6 while Iscaro ('19) started in the No. 1 shirt for his third cap and Dyer ('21) was a starting winger for his 12th cap.
 
Golla's debut marks the 60th Cal player to make an appearance for the U.S. national team, dating back to the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. The Bears have tallied a combined 752 caps in the Red, White and Blue and six former Cal student-athletes (Whit Everett, Andre Bachelet, Kevin Dalzell, Kort Schubert, Louis Stanfill and Blaine Scully) have captained the Eagles in a combined 51 matches.
 
The U.S. commanded the contest in the first half, shutting out Romania and scoring three tries of its own. Dyer scored in the final minute of the first half when he stepped through Oaks on the left side and dotted down in the tryzone to give the Eagles a strong advantage at the intermission. Although Romania controlled the scoreline in the second half, the Eagles maintained their lead and, in the end, collected their first win of the summer series.
 
Golla, a two-time Cal captain and All-American, has impressed in his first season in professional rugby since graduating from Cal. After being the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft by the Dallas Jackals, Golla was named MLR Rookie of the Year in addition to being selected to the All-MLR First Team. He is the first No. 1 overall draft pick in history to earn a cap for the U.S. national team. While at Cal, Golla led the Bears to three PAC 7's Championship titles and was named PAC Co-Player of the Year in 2020. He was also the first Cal player to be tabbed a Rudy Scholz Award finalist in his senior campaign, followed by recent graduate and 2023 MLR Draft top prospect Max Schumacher.
 
Iscaro was a force in the Bears' forward pack while at Cal, helping the program to back-to-back national XV's championships in 2016 and 2017. He made numerous starts as a prop for the Bears to earn All-America honors in his senior year. Iscaro made his international debut for the Eagles on November 6, 2022 in the team's first-ever matchup with Kenya. He started in the No. 1 slot and helped secure the 68-14 victory for the U.S. side. Iscaro currently plays for MLR team, Old Glory D.C.
 
Eagles veteran Dyer remains an important member of the roster since his international debut on July 4, 2021 against England at Twickenham Stadium. In his first match donning the Stars and Stripes, Dyer scored a late try, which would be the first of six he has contributed in his international career. The same summer, Dyer also made his debut for the USA Men's Sevens squad and his first appearance at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dyer was recognized as an All-American in both sevens and XVs during his time at Cal, and cemented himself as one of the top points-scorers for the Bears in his four years. Although sidelined due to injury in his senior year, in 2019 alone Dyer logged 14 tries over 10 starts. In 2017, he helped the Bears in their sweep of national titles in both sevens and XV's. Dyer currently plays for MLR team, the Houston SaberCats.
 
"I thought all three played well," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "Nice first cap for Sam. We're all proud of them."
 
Up next for the trio is a matchup with Portugal on August 12. The match will be streamed live for North American viewers on The Rugby Network.
 
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