It was a difficult week for USA players playing overseas as their teams struggled to find victory.

Paul Emerick almost made a huge splash for Wasps when he came on off the bench for his debut. Wasps lost 15-12, and were behind by that margin when Emerick almost made it to the line for what would have been the game-winning try.

As it was, he was stopped short. Still it was an important game for Emerick as he played his first Premiership game after a long career as a pro in various European leagues.

Also losing a close one was Saracens, which started Chris Wyles and Hayden Smith at outside center and lock, respectively.

Samu Manoa started at lock for Northampton, which ended up winning 24-17 over Sale.

In the RFU Championship, Shawn Pittman was a late scratch for London Welsh against London Scottish (Welsh won 29-22).

Robbie Shaw, coming back from injury, was on as a sub for Leeds in their 24-22 loss to Esher. Mike MacDonald is still injured.

Andrew Suniula is still not 100% and did not play for Cornish Pirates in their 18-17 win over Bristol.

In Japan, Suntory made the final of the Japan Cup with a 56-8 win over NEC. Todd Clever did not play. They take on Panasonic in this weekend’s final.

In France, wins were also hard to come by. Biarritz and Taku Ngwenya lost 25-6 to Perpignan. Montpellier won 30-26 over Bordeaux. Seta Tuilevuka has yet to break the lineup. Kevin Swiryn was similarly not in the lineup for Agen as they lost 21-10 to Toulouse.

Scott LaValla was on the reserves bench for Stade Francais for their 19-19 tie with Toulon.

In Pro D2 Inaki Basauri came on as a sub for Perigueux as they lost another close one 11-9 to Genoble.