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US Players Overseas: Some Love For De Haas, Johnson, Hooley

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US Players Overseas: Some Love For De Haas, Johnson, Hooley

Ruben de Haas sends the ball out for the Cheetahs. Photo Toyota Cheetahs.

USA players all over the world have been in action this past weekend; here's a look.

South Africa

USA scrumhalf Ruben de Haas, who has signed to ply with Saracens in England starting this summer, started at scrumhalf as the Toyota Cheetahs blew apart the Elephants 71-12. 

Australia

While the Western Force have had an up and down Super Rugby AU season, we have been able to see USA center/wing Marcel Brache get starts on the wing for the Force. He continues to be a fixture in the Force backline.

France

USA props David Ainu'u and Titi Lamositele, who both come from the same state, Washington, faced off this weekend in the French Top 14. Lamositele started for Montpellier and played 60 minutes and Ainu'u subbed on at halftime for Toulouse in a 29-16 Montpellier victory.

Lyon beat Toulon 54-16 with USA hooker Joe Taufete'e coming on for Lyon at 56 minutes.

In the Top 14, Toulouse remains on top despite the loss with a 14-5 record while Lyon,11-8-1, is 6th and Montpellier, 7-13, is 11th.

In the Pro D2 neither Nafi Maadu or Deion Mikesell saw action.

England

Exeter women won their Women's Premiership game against Loughborough 17-12 with center Gabby Cantorna kicking two conversions and a penalty, and flanker Rachel Johnson scoring her 6th try of the season. Johnson has gone from an intriguing impact sub to a regular and very effective starter for the Chiefs. Kate Zackary once against started at the relatively unfamiliar position of outside center, while Joanna Kitlinski was on the bench but wasn't used. 

After looking to be a potential cellar-dweller in the Women's Premiership, Exeter is now 10-6 and 6th in the league.

AJ MacGinty came on as a late sub for Sale in their 20-19 defeat of Wasps and was promptly sin-binned, so not the best day for him. Sale remains third in the Men's Premiership with a 10-5 record. Newcastle lost and Greg Peterson did not play. Newcastle is not 10th with a 6-9 record.

In the Greene King Championship one level below the Premiership, Saracens was expected to roll through the league, but lost their opener to the Cornish Pirates. Suitably chastened they have won their last two, including this past weekend 32-3 over Richmond. 

USA flyhalf/fullback Will Hooley, who is starting at fullback, got some screen time after the game.

"We have to be patient; I think as a team we're really learning that," he said. "Every week's a different challenge." 

Ealing and Doncaster lead the Championship standings with 4-0 records so far.