So who is out there? Unfortunately there isn't one player that can instantly be put into the position and have everything work out. There are options out there, attractive options, but each of them comes with their own set of challenges. Let's take a look at who's an option.
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Folau Niua: Niua, along with Blaine Scully, was the MVP of the Eagles series against Canada. Every time he came on the pitch the U.S. offense instantly went on the front foot. Niua has a great set of moves and is deceptively quick. That's what the Eagles need. It was the first camp for Niua so he's still getting used to the system so it would be extremely beneficial for him to play in the Americas Rugby Championship and the November test series.
But here is where it gets complicated. The Gold Coast 7's overlap with the first match of the ARC. The Dubai 7's also back-ends the Eagles November test series. Niua wouldn't have to miss any of the November test or the Dubai 7's but there is a question of burn out. Last year Alex Magleby elected not to use Peter Dahl and Luke Hume because of burnout. With only so many 7's events throughout the year it would be hard to justify pulling Niua away from potentially two or three tournaments. It's doubtful the USOC would look kindly on that. Plus, the U.S. 7's team is playing in Fiji the weekend before the Gold Coast 7's so Niua wouldn't have a chance to train with the ARC squad. This doesn't mean it isn't possible, but some sort of solution would be needed to make it happen.
Adam Siddall:(Note: Somehow Siddall was left of my original list. Oops). Siddall was injured during the Eagles qualifying series against Canada, otherwise he might have gotten a look in the second match. Siddall is a natural fly-half and has experience playing with Old Blue. He has a strong boot and could play the position but like L'Estrange it's not an automatic move. Siddall brings a lot of tangibles to other positions, including center. He'll likely get a look at the ARC and if he can handle it he may be the next in line to take the fly-half reigns.
Will Holder: Last summer when Holder was thrown into the fire against Canada in Kingston he had some shaky moments--which you expect from someone making their debut--but overall showed a lot of promise for the future. He's was included in the Eagles larger squad for the summer after another strong year at West Point but he didn't see any game time. He would be a prime candidate to bring in to the ARC. Give him some game time and see how he plays. However, it remains to be seen what will happen given that he has now graduated. Unless he is put in the World Class Athlete Program it may be hard for him to get enough time away from his military duties to play. It's a problem that many military athletes have had. Getting into the WCAP may require more 7's commitments from Holder as it's an Olympic centered program. That would potentially give him the same time scheduling conflicts as Niua. Still, if he can get into the program and get the time to play 15's it will be a huge plus for the Eagles. He is a solid kicker and would be a great defense option.
Will Magie: Having recently signed his first professional contract with RFU Championship side Ealing Trailfinders, his youth club, the former U-20 captain is the only potential Eagles fly-half in a full-time 15's atmosphere. That is exactly the kind of growth needed for any Americans, not just a fly-half. Magie is still young and has a bright future. If he continue to develop he will be the Eagles future fly-half. The question is whether that time is now. At this point it's more important that Magie get consistent playing time with his club than the Eagles. During the ARC Ealing will be playing in the British and Irish Cup, a competition in which Magie may see significant time. During the November tests the RFU Championship doesn't take a break meaning that calling him into camp may be taking him away from the club right when he is getting settled in and looking for more playing time. It may be that the Eagles, Magie, and his club are able to come to some sort of agreement, but if not next summer looks like the first time we may see him in an Eagles uniform.
AJ MacGinty: Although not yet U.S.-eligible MacGinty would be a solid option for the Eagles. He still has at least one or two years before becoming eligible. MacGinty is a great playmaker with an extremely good boot. Playing at Life he gets plenty of high-level matches a year and has an excellent training atmosphere. The questions surrounding MacGinty are whether he is physically big enough to handle the rigors of international rugby and whether we have seen his ceiling. MacGinty is a very solid club player but we've seen plenty of solid club players unable to transfer that skill over to the international level. The only way to really know is to get him out on the pitch for the United States.
JP Eloff: Eloff has been talked about for a long time as a fly-half of the future. He definitely has the skills to succeed but he needs to be tested at a higher level. Every time he tours with the All-Americans he shows well. Taking the next step and playing in the ARC would be huge for Eloff but the schedule conflicts with his school schedule. He also may need to make the choice between 7's and 15's.
Pat Sullivan: Sullivan's big breakout match came in 2012 when he nearly willed Arkansas State to a comeback win over BYU in the DI-A final. At the time the big knock on Sullivan is that he didn't take care of himself physically. Over the last year that has changed. He has slimmed down and as a result has been able to make his game more effective. He was always strong in his decisions and his boot and now that he has fitness he is able to take his game to another level. He should be free to play in both the ARC and the November tests. That said, making the jump from the college level to the international level is not easy. A few years with a top club may benefit Sullivan.
Liam Bourke: The University College Dublin player was the Junior All-Americans fly-half during this summer's Junior World Championship. It's hard to gauge how he played considering the entire team was outmatched. School will complicate his availability. It's better if he is allow to develop over in Ireland for the moment rather than rush him.
Cormac Murphy: Murphy was Bourke's back-up during the JWC. Like Bourke it's important he develop with his club, the youth teams at Young Munster, before bringing him in.
Gearoid McDonald: He played in the last ARC and then accompanied the team on the November tests. This summer he had an internship and was unable to play with the team. There is also a question of whether he would have been invited. He is certainly a project player at this moment. Another ARC invite is certainly an option. He has been playing in Australia this summer but will return to Ireland.