USA players overseas have been very active this December.

 

In European Cup and domestic UK action, most of the players on contract have seen significant playing time. Samu Manoa may not have started for Northampton against Treviso in the European Champions Cup, but when he came on he scored three tries, so that was a productive day. Northampton won 67-0 and lead Pool 5 with a 3-1 record. One of Manoa’s tries was a classic burst up the middle and sidestep around the fullback - stuff centers would be proud of, but exceptional from a lock/No.8.

 

Chris Wyles started at outside center for Saracens as they beat the Sale Sharks 28-15, also in European Champions Cup action. The win put Saracens at 3-1, just a point behind Clermont Auvergne in Pool 1 and in decent position for a wild card spot.

 

 

Blaine Scully scored a try for Leicester in their European Champions Cup game against Toulon, but the bad news is, that was Leicester’s only try in a 23-8 loss. The Tigers drop to 2-2 in their pool.

 

 

Glasgow lost 12-9 to Toulouse without the injured Brett Thompson. 

 

In a clash of teams with USA players on both sides, Stade Francais beat Newcastle 31-24 in the European Challenge Cup. As usually happens in these matchups, one American didn’t play - Scott LaValla hasn’t played since helping his squad win a crucial French Top 14 match November 30.

 

Eric Fry started at prop for Newcastle, as the Falcons drop to 3-1 in Pool 3. Stade is 2-2.

 

Outside of the European Cup competitions, Todd Clever got some rare playing time with NTT as he came on as a sub in a loss to Yamaha in the Japan Top League. There’s all sorts of expectations that Clever will move to another club in the New Year.

 

In the Aviva Premiership A league, Cam Dolan started at No. 8 for the Northampton Wanderers in their 41-7 defeat of the Sale Jets. Thretton Palamo started at inside center for the Saracens Storm and Hayden Smith lined up at lock in their 43-17 defeat of Wasps A. Former USA U20 scrumhalf Tom Bliss started at #9 for Wasps A and is working on pushing his way through the squad.

 

 

In the French Pro D2, Taku Ngwenya’s return from a successful November assembly with the USA has coincided with a burst for Biarritz. They’ve won two in a row, including a 30-3 defeat of Colomiers, to move into 2nd place.

Don't forget Inaki Basauri, who is still playing for Tarbes, who upset league leaders Pau last week.

Also in action overseas, Mate Moeakiola (pictured right) helped Castenet to a 16-16 tie with Federale 1 leaders Vannes. Nick Civetta continues to get big minutes with Viadana. 

 

Pierce Dargan, Tim Maupin (St. Mary’s), and Conor Kearns (HSAA) all started for Trinity as they beat the Belfast Harlequins in Ireland. Fullback Kearns, who was a big part of the HSAA and USA U20s teams, scored two tries. Maupin is not a student at Dublin University but can play in the club games and started at left wing. Dargan is another former USA age-grader who is a terror at flanker.

 

John Quill is back with Dolphin and continuing on the outstanding form we saw with the USA. His club, however, has struggled to find victories and were knocked out of the Munster Senior Cup in the quarterfinals. 

 

London Scottish lost to Pontypridd 25-17. Tai Tuisamoa was on the bench. Ronnie McLean has been rested of late with Ealing.