Flying Fijians’ Josua Tuisova and Temo Mayanavanua starred for Lyon as they walloped Worcester 31-17 in the European Challenge Cup, this morning.

Tuisova was moved back from centre to wing while lock forward, Mayanavanua came in as a substitute to put a sterling performance.

Lyon were the only French club to win their Europeal Challenge match.

Castres fielded Josua Raisuqe on the wing and rested Adrea Cocagi and Vilimoni Botitu as they suffered a 64-27 thrashing to London Irish.

Biarritz with veterans Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight went down 39-29 to Wasps. Flying Fijian loose forward John Dyer was rested.

Centre George Wacokecoke started from Newcastle Falcons as they lost 27-17 to Glasgow Warriors.

Lam move backfires

A tactical move by Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam to bring in centre Semi Radradra at the start of the second half backfired as they went down 35-29 to Sale Sharks.Bears had started No.8 Nathan Hughes but was replaced in the 44th minute.

Naholo is now a ‘New Yorker’

Former Fiji-born All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo has signed for Rugby United New York in the MLR after failing to pick up a team for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The 31-year-old returned to New Zealand last July after London Irish opted not to offer their 2019 star signing a contract extension and he went on to play eight times for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup.

The cub tweeted: “Waisake Naholo is coming to New York for the rest of the ’22 season. With 62 caps for the @Highlanders and 27 for the @AllBlacks, the powerful winger becomes a New Yorker.”

The ambitious New York, who had ex-France midfielder Mathieu Bastareaud and ex-England full-back Ben Foden on their roster in recent years, are currently fourth in the Western Conference with six wins from nine matches. They have seven games remaining in their regular season before the playoffs.

‘The Beast’ joins Israeli club

2016 Rio Olympic Games gold medallist Semi Kunatani has signed up to play a match with the Tel Aviv Heat in Israel.

Kunatani, who is dubbed the ‘Beast’ during the HSBC World Sevens Series circuit received an invitation from the Israeli club, which offered him a deal for a single match. This had been authroised by the Israeli Rugby Federation.

The ex-Toulouse and Harlequins player, is currently without a club. He had been training with the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team under coach, Ben Gollings. Kunatani has accepted the short term contract. His Olympic team-mate Jasa Veremalua also plays for the club.