USA players are getting their time in overseas, as the top professional competitions hit the central part of the season.

The European Cup and Challenge Cup have completed two rounds, with Saracens winning both of their games. Chris Wyles scored the opening try for the club in the 27-9 win over Ulster - a fairly straightforward score for the USA captain as it was just hands out and a few steps over the line.

Titi Lamositele has been getting plenty of playing time for the first team, but didn’t play in the European Cup game. Instead he started for the Saracens Storm against Exeter in the A league, and helped his team to a 25-20 win. Wyles is still a star for the club, and will start once again this weekend against Worcester. Lamositele is on the bench. 

Samu Manoa has started off brilliantly for Toulon and started at lock for the club, which lost 32-6 to Wasps in the European Cup. It was something of an inexplicable loss for the French club, which has started 4-4 in the French Top 14.

Blaine Scully started at fullback in Cardiff’s 32-20 loss to Harlequins last week in the European Challenge Cup. He will start this weekend at wing for the Blues against the Ospreys. Cam Dolan didn’t play in the European game but did play for the Cardiff side plays in the British & Irish Cup, and was a big part of their side’s effort (a 33-29 loss) against London Welsh.

London Welsh got a big game from Thretton Palamo, who was one of their main ground-gainers and tackle-busters.

The Premiership A-League is also where Eric Fry played for Newcastle’s team, in a 24-20 loss to Northampton. We haven’t seen Todd Clever or Fry with the 1st-team Falcons side since their late-game substitutions November 7 against Worcester.  

In the French Pro D2, Taku Ngwenya scored a very nice try to help Biarritz because Narbonne 25-20. Biarritz is only 2-7 and struggling in the French 2nd division.

In the Italian Serie A, Nick Civetta was Man of the Match for Toscana Aeroporti I Medicei as they beat Gran Sasso 16-7. The former Notre Dame and Cal second row, who played for the USA Selects, scored the only try of the game for Tuscany.

Greg Peterson did not get any time in the European Challenge Cup, but returns to the bench for the Glasgow Warriors against Benetton Treviso this weekend.

AJ MacGinty gets his first Pro12 start as he runs on at flyhalf for Connacht against Munster.