One of the first Americans to play professionally in Europe, Tom Billups is preparing for his second Rugby World Cup with the US Eagles, the former hooker having played in all three of their pool games before his retirement four years ago.
The 38 year old, who resumed his career after a serious neck injury in 1997, had held the assistant coach role before taking over as interim coach in December 2001 with his official appointment coming a month later.
A former professional fitness coach, Billups played American football as two way interior lineman with Augustana College before finding his love of rugby with Quad City Irish in his native Burlington and going on to play in the Hong Kong Sevens in 1989.
Billups also turned out for California’s Old Blues, winning the National Club Championship in 1992, as well as professionally with Blackheath and Harlequins in England in the late 1990s.
The hooker, who spent a year playing in New Zealand earlier in his career, won the first of his 44 caps for the Eagles against Canada and captained them on 12 occasions before his final appearance against Australia at the Rugby World Cup.
Billups signed a new two year contract in June 2003.