League play started for most of the USA players playing overseas, and it was win day for everybody.

In the Aviva Premiership in England, Blaine Scully started on the wing for Leicester as they beat Newcastle 36-17. For Newcastle, Eric Fry did not play. Still, it was a big day for Scully as he started in the team’s opener and seems to be poised to factor greatly in the team’s plans.

It was a quiet day for the Americans at Saracens, as non played while Sarries beat Wasps 34-28. While Cam Dolan didn’t get a look for Northampton, Samu Manoa started at No. 8 and was a big influence in the Saints’ 53-6 destruction of Gloucester. Manoa has been playing a lot of No. 8 of late, and it makes sense as he is a force with the ball at the base of the scrum.

In the French Top 14, Scott LaValla came on as a sub for Stade Francais in their 34-29 defeat of Bayonne. See in the video highlights here how LaValla, #19, lays in a teeth-rattling clearout to set up a try. http://www.lnr.fr/video-stade-francais-bayonne-34-29-j4-saison-2014-2015...

The NTT Shining Arcs won 30-6 over Toyota. Todd Clever did not play.

In the Greene King IPA Championship in England, Ronnie McLean started for Ealing in a preseason win over Loughborough students. London Scottish beat Rotheram 32-23, with Tai Tuisamoa coming in off the bench at lock forward.

And in France's Pro D2, Taku Ngwenya started at wing for Biarritz as they edged Mont de Marson 24-20.

So not a big weekend in terms of playing time, but Scully and Manoa carried the load as starters.