Kiwis in Europe: Nick Evans stars for Harlequins

Nick Evans of Harlequins celebrates with Marland Yarde after scoring a try . Photo / Getty

Nick Evans may be 35, but his influence on his Harlequins is as palpable as ever.

The former All Black wore the captain's armband for Quins as they opened their Aviva Premiership season with a 26-21 over Wasps.

The next morning he fronted a SKY TV Rugby World Cup show at New Zealand House. The first five scored 21 points, including a try, while former Wellington and North Harbour rep Mat Luamanu wore the No 8 jersey.

Evans was marked by Jimmy Gopperth, who kicked three goals, while former Auckland loose forward Nathan Hughes marked Luamanu.

Elsewhere in the Premiership, first five Chris Noakes kicked 11 points for London Irish but threw an intercept pass for a try which helped Leicester Tigers to a 28-16 win over the Exiles. Former Chiefs and Manawatu lock Mike FitzGerald started at lock for the Tigers.

Sale skipper Daniel Braid, playing blindside, and second five Sam Tuitupou, had a tough day at the office as the Sharks were pummelled 41-3 by Saracens.

Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs were edged 19-17 by Bath.

The big Kiwi-Samoan contingent at Northampton Saints, with wing Ken Pisi and lock Michael Paterson starting, fell 13-12 to newly promoted Worcester Warriors, where Auckland wing Bryce Heem will be heading next week.

Willi Heinz and John Afoa of Gloucester enjoyed a 39-27 win at Newcastle, for whom Mike Delany, transferred from Clermont, kicked five goals. Wing Sinoti, halfback Ruki Tipuna and No 6 Richard Mayhew all started for the Falcons.

The French Top 14 resumed and there were no less than three away victories.

Kiwi loose forwards Peter Saili, Hugh Chalmers and Luke Braid all helped Bordeaux-Begles win 31-16 at Agen. Racing-Metro, who included Joe Rokocoko and Casey Laulala in their XV, won 18-9 at Oyonnax, for whom Piri Weepu turned out at halfback, the day before he watched the All Blacks win in Cardiff. Anthony Tuitavake's Montpellier defeated Grenoble 30-19.

First Dan Kirkpatrick came off the bench for Castres but to no avail as they lost 22-9 to Stade Francais. Hooker Corey Flynn and lock Joe Tekori helped Toulouse to a 39-22 win over Jason Eaton's La Rochelle.

No 8 Fritz Lee was in the thick of Clermont's 35-10 victory over Daniel Ramsay's Pau.
In the Guinness PRO12, which also resumed after a short break, Francis Saili's Munster beat Cardiff Blues, missing Gareth Anscombe on Welsh duty, 35-27.

A try and three goals from fullback Jayden Hayward was not quite sufficient for Treviso, who were edged 25-22 by Brendon Leonard's Ospreys.

Phil Burleigh, Mike Coman and Nasi Manu were to the fore as Edinburgh beat Ulster 16-10, though former Steelers flanker Sean Reidy did score a try for the vanquished.
Leinster fullback Isa Nacewa scored a try but it was not enough to prevent a 25-14 Scarlets win in Llanelli.

A yellow card on second five Bundee Aki mattered not as Connacht beat Zebre 34-15.
Grayson Hart and Hugh Blake helped guide Glasgow to a 29-15 victory over Nick Crosswell's Dragons.