N. Americans Overseas

Van Der Merwe Sparks Comeback, Upset

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:25:00 GMT

By Pat Clifton (Above, van der Merwe searches for a hole against Ireland at the Churchill Cup. Ian Muir photo) Following an exciting week of two games where Americans did battle against one another’s clubs overseas, the past week provided little to get excited about, as no American scored ...

Overseas Update: September 4 2010

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:22:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com (Chris Wyles in action Saturday. Ian Muir photo) With pro leagues wanting to end the 2010-2011 season early to allow national teams some World Cup prep time, most leagues in Europe are now in full swing. That means busy times for Americans. Aviva Premiership, England ...

Ulster Confirms Emerick Signing

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:35:00 GMT

Ulster confirmed today what RUGBYMag.com reported a week ago, that Paul Emerick has signed with Ulster. Emerick is on contract for three months to provide Ulster with cover for the injured Andrew Trimball. After that, it remains possible that Emerick will be signed on for the rest of the season.

Johnson Signs with London Irish

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:23:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff (Ian Muir photo) USA prop Will Johnson has confirmed that he has signed with London Irish of the Aviva Premiership in England. Johnson is on a deal in partnership with London Welsh. In it, if he is not slated to play with London Irish on a specific week, he will train with ...

Overseas Rookies Upend Vets

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:57:00 GMT

By Pat Clifton (Shawn Pittman's London Welsh win league opener. Butch Leitz photo) You know Americans are starting to have a real presence in overseas leagues when they start playing against each other on a regular basis. This past weekend, Americans squared off against each other on two separate ...

Swiryn, Ngwenya Prepare to Meet in Top 14 Action

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:15:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Z Ngwenya at training, awaits a must-win match against his USA teammate Kevin Swiryn.) Two USA wings will line up against each other this weekend in the French Top 14 as Kevin Swiryn and Takudzwa Ngwenya start for their respective clubs. Both teams are coming off los...

Emerick Returns to Magners League

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:20:00 GMT

Pat Clifton (Ian Muir photo) Paul Emerick has signed a three-month contract with Irish club Ulster. “It’ll be a good chance to play with those guys,” said Emerick. “Hopefully, it blossoms into being a one-year contract or a two-year contract.” Ulster went in search...

Tuilevuka Treasuring Top 14 Opportunity

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:39:00 GMT

By Pat Clifton An American on a roster in one of the toughest overseas leagues is a rarity. That statement rings less true now than maybe ever, but rings true nonetheless. Even more rare is an American on a roster in one of the toughest overseas leagues who’s never booted up for the Eagles. T...

Pittman Gets Starts at London Welsh

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:52:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff London Welsh lost their preseason match with Bristol Saturday 28-15. But it’s early days yet, and USA prop Shawn Pittman is pleased to be part of the club’s future. He got onto the field for the first time his new club last week, playing 50 minutes against...

Knee Keeps LaValla From All American Dream

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:28:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff (Ed Hagerty photo) USA lock Scott LaValla was set to acheive his dream of playing for the All Americans this August but has had to pull out of the tour due to a knee injury. LaValla has had a chronic knee problem that comes and goes, and played with the USA in the Churchill...

Tuilevuka Only American In Action

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:29:00 GMT

Seta Tuilevuka, formerly of the DI national champion Las Vegas Blackjacks, made his French Top 14 debut Friday starting at wing for newly promoted Montpellier. Though it was a losing effort, falling to Biarritz Olympique, Montpellier has to be happy to hang tough with the European semifinalists. T...

Overseas Latest - 7s for Petri, Startup for Others

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:21:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff (Petri playing for NYAC in the Super League final. Numina Photo) Sales has called on USA scrumhalf Mike Petri to bolster their 7s team for Friday's final of the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens Series in Bath. The 7s Series has been used as a springboard to promoting 7s...

Happy to be Back, Smith Welcomes All Americans

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:38:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Smith is now a Saracens regular) USA lock forward Hayden Smith is back on the pitch after sitting out most of the summer with a shoulder/clavicle injury. The injury meants Smith had to miss the Churchill Cup, but is set for another season with English Premiership runners up Saracen...

Pittman Set to Join London Welsh

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:51:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Butch Leitz photo) USA tighthead prop Shawn Pittman has confirmed he will be joining London Welsh in the next couple of days. Pittman’s work visa has just been approved and he will join the English Championship club for the 2010-2011 season. “It’s really great,&rdqu...

Paper Reports Pittman Signing

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:46:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Ed Hagerty photo) USA tighthead prop Shawn Pittman has confirmed with his local newspaper that he is signing with London Welsh for the 2010-2011 season. London Welsh is in the English Championship league, one level below the Avia Premiership. Pittman was set to sign with the clu...

Clever's Shoulder Healing, Mind Adjusting

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:47:00 GMT

Life in Japan has started for Todd Clever, who is looking forward to playing a more reasonable schedule for one of rugby's best coaches.

RuggaMatrix: Petri Thanks Coach

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:59:00 GMT

USA scrumhalf Mike Petri said he gives a lot of credit to Mike Tolkin for helping him the Eagle #9 achieve a contract with the Sale Sharks. Speaking on the RuggaMatrix America podcast, presented by RUGBYMag.com, Petri said “I can’t thank coach Tolkin enough for everything that he did fo...

Stanfill Signs with Italian Club

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:54:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Stanfill flyting in on defense against Russia. Butch Leitz photo) USA flanker Lou Stanfill is making a move to Italy. According to a post on his personal blog, Stanfill received an offer from newly-promoted Italian Super 10 club Mogliano out of Treviso. Stanfill has been playing with...

About Time for Petri Move

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:41:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Butch Leitz photo) It’s finally happened for Mike Petri; after several years of hoping and one short-lived attempt, the USA scrumhalf has an overseas contract to play rugby. It took a while in part because Petri didn’t want to go just anywhere. He went overseas once to ...

Sale Sharks Sign Petri

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:40:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff (Ed Hagerty photo) The Sale Sharks have confirmed Tuesday that they have signed USA scrumhalf Mike Petri. The Guinness Premiership club made the announcement Tuesday morning, with Sharks head coach Mike Brewer saying: "As we saw in the recent Churchill Cup, Mike is a g...

Wyles Proud of Saracens Effort

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:39:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff USA wing/fullback Chris Wyles has joined his teammates in camp for the Churchill Cup, after taking part in what many say is the most exciting Guinness Premiership Final ever. Wyles helped set up a score and played a strong game as Saracens went down to Leicester 33-27 thanks ...

Heartbreak for Saracens

Sat, 29 May 2010 14:22:00 GMT

By RUGBYMag.com Staff USA wing Chris Wyles and Saracens came back to lead 27-26 with a few minutes left in the Guinness Premiership Final in England. However, a try right off the restart gave Leicester a 33-27 win in dramatic fashion. Wyles was the last USA play active in Europe...

Wyles Looks Ahead to Premiership Final

Tue, 25 May 2010 20:34:00 GMT

By Alex Goff (Ian Muir photo) USA wing Chris Wyles is expected to start in Saturday's Guinness Premiership final for Saracens against Leicester. Wyles has been outstanding for the English club this spring, scoring a huge try in his team's 21-19 semifinal win over NOrthampton May 16. "It...

Biarritz and Ngwenya Just Short of Glory

Sat, 22 May 2010 18:14:00 GMT

USA wing's club loses European Cup final 22-19 to Toulouse

Z Readies for European Cup Final

Fri, 21 May 2010 18:04:00 GMT

Big game for winger