Roundup: Kiwis in Europe

Of the more than 80 New Zealanders who appeared in major European competitions over the weekend, few were more vital to their team's cause than former Wallaby Mike Harris. Photo/ Thinkstock

Of the more than 80 New Zealanders who appeared in major European competitions over the weekend, few were more vital to their team's cause than former Wallaby Mike Harris.

The Lyon No 10 scored a try and kicked three goals to help his club to a 22-22 French Top 14 draw with Bayonne. Harris, who played for North Harbour before crossing the Tasman, was one of six Kiwis in the Lyon line-up, the others being Toby Arnold, Rudi Wulf, Ti'i Paulo, Josh Bekhuis and Taiasina Tuifua. Bayonne had Kade Poki, Manu Leiataua and Pelu Taele in their ranks.

Ben Botica kicked two penalty goals as his Montpellier club, said to be after Aaron Cruden's signature, went down 28-6 at Toulon.

Stade Francais, who fielded Paul Williams at second five and Aled de Malmanche and Zak Taulafo off the bench, edged La Rochelle 31-26. Victor Vito and Romana Graham started for the latter.

William Whetton's Brive beat Racing-Metro 25-16, for whom Chris Masoe and Anthony Tuitavake started.

Centre Tom Taylor kicked 23 points but it was not enough as Pau lost 28-30 at home to Luke Braid's Bordeaux-Begles. Colin Slade wore the No 10 jersey for Pau while lock Daniel Ramsay came off the bench, only to be yellow carded.

Carl Axtens, Joe Tekori and Census Johnston featured for Toulouse in their decisive 31-3 win over Tino Nemani's Grenoble.

Benson Stanley, Fritz Lee and Isaia Toeava all played for Clermont in the 29-19 victory over Castres.

There was plenty of drama in England's Aviva Premiership.

Tries to Johnny Leota and Halani Aulika helped Sale Sharks to a 34-30 win over Leicester Tigers. Jimmy Gopperth continued on his merry way, kicking six goals as Wasps crushed Winston Stanley's Harlequins 47-18.

The quartet of Tusi Pisi, Mark Sorenson, Anthony Perenise, and Jack Lam were powerless to stop Saracens crushing their Bristol side 39-0.

Northampton's Ken Pisi, George Pisi and Michael Paterson all started as the Saints edged Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs 20-19.

Kahn Fotuali'i's Bath beat John Afoa's Gloucester 15-6, while Jackson Willison's Worcester defeated Newcastle 11-9, despite two goals by the Falcons' Mike Delany.

In the Guinness PRO12, Gareth Anscombe scored all 13 points for Cardiff Blues in their 16-13 defeat to Jamison Gibson-Park's Leinster. Hadleigh Parkes' Scarlets beat Treviso 22-6, the latter fielding Jayden Hayward (15), Filo Paulo (4) and Dean Budd (7).

Charlie Piutau's Ulster had a narrow 9-7 win over Ma'afu Fia's Ospreys.

First five Tyler Bleyendaal kicked four conversions in Munster's 49-5 shellacking of Zebre, while hooker Corey Flynn scored an important try in Glasgow's 26-17 victory over Nick Crosswell's Dragons.

Defending champs Connacht finally recorded their first win of 2016-17, a 28-15 affair over John Hardie's Edinburgh. Bundee Aki, Jake Heenan and Tom McCartney all played for Connacht.