This weekend is a big one for fans across the globe as the European Cup season begins. Both the Heineken Cup (check out my latest piece at RugbyRugby where I preview the Heineken Cup and issue my predictions) and Amlin Challenge Cup offer teams and players a chance to break away from their long league seasons and to test themselves against other competition. Watching the contrasting styles and comparing teams in different leagues is exciting because it adds suspense into the matches. We know that Zebre will most likely get beat every week in the RaboDirect Pro12, but does that mean they will get beat every week in Europe (okay, bad example)? For Americans, we have the added pleasure of seeing how our players stack up against others. So with that in mind, take the jump to read more about Americans in the competitions.
Heineken Cup
Chris Wyles (Saracens): Wyles and Saracens are in Pool 1 along with Edinburgh, Munster, and Racing Metro. It will be a challenge and Wyles is expected to play a big part in the Saracens effort. His potential match-up against Tim Visser (Edinburgh) is one to keep an eye on.
Hanno Dirksen (Ospreys): The Ospreys are having a bit of trouble in the RaboDirect Pro12 right and that could spell disaster in Pool 2 with Toulouse, Leicester, and Treviso. Dirksen has excelled in previous cup competitions and should be a key player for the Ospreys.
Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz): It’s been an up and down season for Ngwenya and Biarritz but that could all change with a good performance in Europe. The team and Ngwenya have been known to turn it on in European cup competition (just check out Ngwenya’s try from a few years ago). Ngwenya is in Pool 3 in Zebre, Connacht, and Harlequins.
Dave Ryan (Zebre): Ryan hasn’t been a part of the Zebre’s squad the last few weeks but if the Italians decide to focus on Europe it could open up time for him in the league. Ryan is in Pool 3.
Callum Black (Ulster): Black has mostly been used a substitute this year and that should continue in Europe. Most likely Black might see more time in the British and Irish Cup. Ulster are in Pool 4 with Northampton, Glasgow, and Castres.
Samu Manoa (Northampton): The Saints are at the top of the Premiership and are now looking for European glory. Expect Samu Manoa to play a big part of the Saints efforts. He has been a monster in the Premiership this season so it will be interesting to see him have a go at European opponents (okay, he played last year but this year he is getting more regular minutes). Northampton are in Pool 4.
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow): Seymour can’t seem to find a regular rhythm for the Warriors but if he can pull out some big performances in the Heineken Cup that could change. He’s going to come across some world-class wingers that will show just how far he’s grown in the last few years. Glasgow are in Pool 4.
Amlin Challenge Cup
Scott LaValla (Stade Francais): LaValla is the only American in the Amlin Challenge Cup this year. He played some minutes against the minnows in the competition last year but may some play significant minutes this year. Stade are in Pool 5 with London Welsh, Grenoble, and Cavalieri Prato.
Heineken Cup
Chris Wyles (Saracens): Wyles and Saracens are in Pool 1 along with Edinburgh, Munster, and Racing Metro. It will be a challenge and Wyles is expected to play a big part in the Saracens effort. His potential match-up against Tim Visser (Edinburgh) is one to keep an eye on.
Hanno Dirksen (Ospreys): The Ospreys are having a bit of trouble in the RaboDirect Pro12 right and that could spell disaster in Pool 2 with Toulouse, Leicester, and Treviso. Dirksen has excelled in previous cup competitions and should be a key player for the Ospreys.
Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz): It’s been an up and down season for Ngwenya and Biarritz but that could all change with a good performance in Europe. The team and Ngwenya have been known to turn it on in European cup competition (just check out Ngwenya’s try from a few years ago). Ngwenya is in Pool 3 in Zebre, Connacht, and Harlequins.
Dave Ryan (Zebre): Ryan hasn’t been a part of the Zebre’s squad the last few weeks but if the Italians decide to focus on Europe it could open up time for him in the league. Ryan is in Pool 3.
Callum Black (Ulster): Black has mostly been used a substitute this year and that should continue in Europe. Most likely Black might see more time in the British and Irish Cup. Ulster are in Pool 4 with Northampton, Glasgow, and Castres.
Samu Manoa (Northampton): The Saints are at the top of the Premiership and are now looking for European glory. Expect Samu Manoa to play a big part of the Saints efforts. He has been a monster in the Premiership this season so it will be interesting to see him have a go at European opponents (okay, he played last year but this year he is getting more regular minutes). Northampton are in Pool 4.
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow): Seymour can’t seem to find a regular rhythm for the Warriors but if he can pull out some big performances in the Heineken Cup that could change. He’s going to come across some world-class wingers that will show just how far he’s grown in the last few years. Glasgow are in Pool 4.
Amlin Challenge Cup
Scott LaValla (Stade Francais): LaValla is the only American in the Amlin Challenge Cup this year. He played some minutes against the minnows in the competition last year but may some play significant minutes this year. Stade are in Pool 5 with London Welsh, Grenoble, and Cavalieri Prato.
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