Eagles Abroad: Weekend Review

Paul Emerick

As we noted yesterday, the rugby world's attention was focused squarely on Europe this weekend as the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup both kicked off. For some Americans overseas, that meant the weekend off, but for others it meant putting in full shifts as their teams tried to advance in Europe. Additionally, the season came to close for another Eagle, while other Americans advanced to the playoffs. Take the jump to see how everyone did over the weekend.

British Isles:

Heineken Cup

Samu Manoa played 64 minutes for Northampton as they beat Tommy Seymour and Glasgow 24-15 on Sunday. Seymour played the full 80 minutes for the Warriors.

Chris Wyles came off the bench and played 14 minutes or the Saracens against Edinburgh on Saturday in their 45-0 victory.

Hanno Dirksen started, played 80 minutes, and scored two tries for the Ospreys as they beat Benetton Treviso 38-17 last Friday.

Dave Ryan was not in the lineup for Zebre as they lost to Connacht 10-19 on Saturday.

Callum Black came off the bench and played 18 minutes for Ulster as they beat Castres 41-17 on Friday.

Amlin Challenge Cup

Paul Emerick was not in the London Wasps as they beat the Dragons 38-25 on Saturday.

Other:

Robbie Shaw started for Richmond as they beat Cambridge in National League 1.

Jason Law came on and played 32 minutes in Oxford’s 17-8 loss to the Leicester Tigers reserves last Monday. Oxford play Richmond today.

Nate Brakeley started for Cambridge as they lost to the Northampton Wanderers 49-13 last Monday.

Pierce Dargan and Trinity had the weekend off.

Will Magie had the weekend off.

France:

Heineken Cup

Taku Ngwenya started and played 80 minutes for Biarritz as they lost big 40-13 toHarlequins on Saturday.

Amlin Challenge Cup

Scott LaValla was not in the lineup for Stade Francais as they smashed London Welsh 68-19 on Saturday.

Pro D2

Seta Tuilevuka started and played 80 minutes for Beziers as they lost 40-21 to Auch on Saturday. Roland Suniula didn't play for Auch.

Inaki Basauri started and played 80 minutes for Tarbes as they lost to Albi 28-22 on Saturday.

Otusia Tupouata did not play as La Rochelle beat Caracassonne 24-22 on Saturday. Tupouata is mostly playing with the La Rochelle reserves.

Federale 1

Mate Moeakiola started for L’Uson beat Lourdes 34-7 on Saturday.

Italy:

Serie A

Lou Stanfill started, played 80 minutes, and scored a try for Vicenza as they beat Gruppo Padana Paese 17-9.

New Zealand:

ITM Cup

Eric Fry came off the bench for Manawatu as they lost a heartbreaker to Southland 17-11 last Friday. The loss ends Manawatu’s season.

South Africa:

Currie Cup

Marcel Brache came off the bench and played 8 minutes while JJ Gagiano did not dress for Western Province as they advanced to the playoffs with a 36-15 win over the Cheetahs.

Japan:

Top League

Todd Clever came off the bench for the NTT Shining Arcs and played 27 minutes as they beat the Canon Eagles 31-17 on Sunday.

Anthony Estrella did not play for Toshiba beat the Fukuoka Sanix Blues 29-20 on Sunday.