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USA fans have a new name to watch out for in the coming years in the form of 18-year-old David Ainu’u. Born in American Samoa, the Washington State resident has signed a six-month academy contract with one of the largest clubs in Europe, French Top 14 side Toulouse. Ainu’u makes the jump from his current club Seattle Saracens where he has been under the tutelage of current Eagles prop Olive Kilifi.
The highly-rated youngster has been part of Junior All-American squads at u17, u18, u19, and most recently u20 level. He remains eligible for the u20s for the next two seasons. Ainu’u was also invited to train with the senior Eagles side prior to the match against the New Zealand Māori in Chicago two weeks before his 17th birthday. In August he was announced in the Central Washington recruiting class but will put his Wildcats career on hold for an early shot at professional rugby.
Ainu’u joins a growing number of American-eligible front rowers in Europe. Titi Lamositele and Chris Baumann are in the Aviva Premiership with Saracens and Leicester Tigers respectively, Dino Waldren is at London Scottish in the Greene King IPA Championship, and Eric Fry plays for Vannes in the French Pro D2. Eagles front rower Joe Taufete’e plays for Worcester Warriors in the Premiership.
Other USA players in French academies include lock Victor Comptat at Massy Essonne and midfielder Mose Fuala’au at Clermont Auvergne. Comptat has played for the USA at u20 level while Fuala’au was part of the senior Eagles touring squad in November but is yet to make his international debut.
