Chris Wyles, newly-retired from the USA men’s national 15s team, continues to be a central figure on Saracens, helping them to a 28-17 defeat of Toulouse and a 6-0 European Cup record.

Two other USA players have been active with Saracens - Titi Lamositele did not play this past weekend but has been getting some 1st-team playing time. Hayden Smith, who is also reportedly retired from the Eagles, was on the bench this weekend.

Greg Peterson started at lock for Glasgow Warriors as they beat Racing Metro 92 22-5 to finish European Cup pool play 3-3. 

Toulon got good news in that Samu Manoa was able to suit up after an injury, and he started at lock in a 19-14 defeat of Bath to finish pool play 5-1 and clinch a playoff spot.

So in the quarterfinals, Saracens plays Manoa’s old club, Northampton; Toulon plays Racing 92; Stade Francais (Scott LaValla’s old club before he retired) plays Leicester (once Blaine Scully’s team); Wasps (Tom Bliss) plays Exeter.

In the European Challenge Cup, Blaine Scully didn’t play for Cardiff but Cam Dolan got a start at blindside flanker in a 74-6 win over Calvisano. Also getting a start was AJ MacGinty, who got his second straight start at flyhalf for Connacht. MacGinty helped his squad to a 47-5 defeat of Enisei, but he didn’t kick especially well, slotting only one conversion and one penalty.

Neither Eric Fry nor Todd Clever played for Newcastle as the Falcons beat Brive.

Connacht clinched a spot in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals, and they will take on Grenoble. No other USA-roster teams are in the final eight.

In other action around the world, Taku Ngwenya started for Biarritz, which lost to Albi and continues to struggled in pro D2, now sitting 12th with a 6-10 record. 

Nick Civetta has been playing regularly for Viadana but did not play this past weekend.