Now that the European season has come to an end, it’s time to check out how Americans overseas fared. In part one of our series, we check out how the players in France did this last season.

Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz)

Ngwenya may have been the most consistent player for a struggling Biarritz team this past season. He started every match in which he wasn’t injured or at the World Cup, and played almost every single minute of those matches. Ngwenya didn’t have as many tries this season as in the past, but much of that has to do with his lackluster Biarritz team that only avoided relegation at the end of the season. Still, the season did end on a high note as Biarritz managed to win the Amlin Challenge Cup. 

After such a steady season, it looks like Ngwenya will be sticking around the south of France a little longer. Biarritz had a down year, but they certainly have the resources to compete. Ngwenya has been a big part of their success so far and should be in the future.

Scott LaValla (Stade Francais)

Originally signed as an academy player, LaValla made a bigger impact than most expected for Stade Francais. Upon coming back from the World Cup, he was thrown into action and seemed to do quite well. So well in fact, that he signed a 3-year extension with the team. He may not have played a lot of minutes, but he did get in a lot of matches—showing that the coaching staff had faith in LaValla.

LaValla is a stud and most likely the Eagles captain in the future, but playing for a club like Stade Francais can be risky. The Parisian clubs like to spend money and bring in high-profile players. LaValla played in the flanker behind Italian-legend Sergio Parisse most of the year and towards the end had to play behind former Australian star George Smith. LaValla will definitely stay at Stade next season, but he’ll have to work hard to get playing time. He can do it, and the Eagles will benefit as a bonus.

Kevin Swiryn (Agen)

Swiryn came back from the World Cup with hopes of replicating his previous season’s form with Agen. However, injuries not only cut his season short (making only three Amlin Challenge Cup appearances), but also his career. The talented winger was forced to retire from injury earlier in the spring and has since moved back to Seattle.

Seta Tuilevuka (Montpellier)

Like Swiryn, Tuilevuka had his growth in France stunted by injury. Tuilevuka had a breakout season last year and was a revelation for Montpellier. This year, however, injuries kept Tuilevuka from making a single first-team appearance. He played in at least one reserve match, but wasn’t involved in much more than that. Even with his outstanding 2010-11 season, it will be hard to see Tuilevuka returning to Montpellier. He hasn’t shown any signs of being able to recover form his injuries, and the team may not be willing to wait. Still, a ProD2 or Italian team might be interested in his services and it would provide his with a great opportunity to show his skills once again.

Inaki Basauri (Perigueux)

The only American playing in the ProD2 had a steady but unremarkable season. He started most of Perigueux’s matches after returning form the World Cup and was generally a solid presence. Despite playing flanker for the Eagles, Basauri spent the season in France playing loc. That could be useful in the future ast he Eagles need cover at that position. Even though Basauri had a good season, his club did not. Perigueux struggled throughout the season and were relegated. 

On the surface, it would seem that Perigueux’s relegation would mean that Basauri is certain to leave the club. However, Basauri is married to a Frenchwoman and will not want to give up ties so easily. He has a proven record in France and could land with another team, but staying with Perigueux is very much an option.