Getting professional rugby time overseas remains a difficult proposition for American rugby players, and with travel restrictions and COVID-19 and everything else, it’s even tougher.

But, some players are either active or will be soon, especially in France.

French Top 14

In France, the Top 14 has announced today that its schedule is set and it will begin September 5. 

See full Top 14 Schedule Here >>

That matters for USA fans in part because two of the top front-rowers in the American game, both Washington state products, are in that competition. Titi Lamositele, who set the record for the youngest-capped USA player when he made his debut in 2013 (18 years, 188 days), has moved from Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership in England to Montpellier in the south of France.

Lamositele, who got his start with the Chuckanut Rugby Club U19s in Ferndale, Wash., and was a Washington Logger and a High School All American, played 64 times for Saracens. Now at 25 and with 32 Eagle caps under his belt, he is entering his prime as a top-flight prop forward.

About 160 miles south on I-5, David Ainu’u played for Yelm and later Liberty in Rugby Washington, and was a Logger, an Eagle Impact Rugby Academy player, and then a HS All American before joining Toulouse in the academy program. Capped nine times by the Eagles, with his first when we was just 18 years, 355 days old, Ainu’u is still only 20 and still working his way into the Toulouse lineup. However, he has played in the Top 14 as a teenager, which is pretty tough to do.

 

 

 

 

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Ainu'u's 2019 was to be a bit of breakout year for him in the Rugby World Cup. He started against England, but cruelly was injured in the opening minutes and played no further part in the tournament.

Toulouse kicks off vs Clermont Auvergne on September 5, while Montpellier faces Section Paloise. 

Pro D2

France’s 2nd division also has a couple of USA players, and in fact they’re at the same club. Eric Fry has been a fixture in the front row for RC Vannes for some years now. The Northwestern coastal Britanny town, just a few miles northwest of Nantes, is passionate about its rugby team. Fry played his high school rugby at Jesuit in Sacramento and went on to captain Cal, where he played flanker before converting to prop. Fry, 32, first suited up for the Eagles in 2011 and has 48 caps and has played in three Rugby World Cups. 

Along with Fry, Vannes now has Nick Civetta playing second row. The former University of Notre Dame All American has played professionally in Italy and the UK, and with a European passport thanks to his Italian heritage, the 26-cap Civetta was a very good signing for Vannes.

After his signing, Civetta said in a statement with the club, “"I have always wanted to play in the French championship and I am very excited to join RC Vannes…  Eric told me a lot about this club and he played a major role in my choice to join. Brittany is a beautiful place.”

They still seem to be enjoying it. See the photo.

RC Vannes kicks off its season on Friday, September 4 against Aurillac. 

See the full Pro D2  Schedule Here>>