One of the top propping prospects in American rugby has signed with Toulouse in the French Top 14.

David Ainuu announced Tuesday that he is joining the club for the next six months. The 18-year-old was a High School All-American who played for Prairie High School in Yelm, WA, and then for Liberty High School when the Prairie team had trouble with numbers.

A powerful prop in the mold of another Washingtonian, Titi Lamositele (currently at Saracens), Ainuu trained with the USA senior team while still a high schooler.

Here is his interview after that session.





Ainuu then signed with the Seattle Seawolves MLR team, but a chance to play for Stade Toulousain was too good to pass up.

"I’m looking forward to the change of pace and experiencing French rugby for the first time and hopefully adapting my game to their system," Ainuu said in an announcement released by the Seawolves. "Aside from rugby, I’m looking forward to the French culture and traveling through different parts of France."

Ainuu joins Samua Manoa (Toulon) and Taku Ngwenya (Brive) as USA players playing in the Top 14. Several others, including fellow High School All-American Nafi Maafu, are playing in Pro D2.

Ainuu is the second rugby product out of Olympia, WA, to sign as a professional in France. Former USA captain Scott LaValla played for Stade Francais before option to enlist in the U.S. Army.

Toulouse is currently 7-5-1 in the Top 14, in sixth place just behind Manoa's Toulon.

This contract is likely one of a development nature. Ainuu has not been capped by the USA at the senior level, and that's an important milestone for out-of-country professionals. It is not uncommon for players to get a cap fast-tracked in order to help with the signing of a contract.