The Saints marched on at the top, Northampton blanking relegation-bound London Welsh 46-0, with Ahsee Tuala scoring a try from fullback and James Wilson, off the bench, slotting two goals. Chris Noakes kicked a penalty goal in London Irish's 35-13 loss to Gloucester.
The Guinness PRO12 semifinalists are sorted, and there will ironically be precious few Kiwis involved amongst Ulster, Munster, Ospreys and Glasgow, other than Ulster's Kiwi-Irish centre Jared Payne.
Pat Lam, who must be shaking his head at the latest developments at his old Super Rugby franchise, has guided Connacht into seventh position after they dispatched Zebre 40-10. Brendon Leonard scored a try for Zebre.
Hadleigh Parkes' Scarlets beat Cardiff Blues, for whom Gareth Anscombe was at fullback. The Dragons of Newport-Gwent, with Boris Stankovich at prop and Nick Crosswell at No 6, beat Phil Burleigh's Edinburgh 19-5.
In the French Top 14, there are still two more rounds ahead of the playoffs and June 13 final.
Toulon are leading the way, as ever, their five Kiwis helping the side to a 37-21 over Castres, who included No 10 Dan Kirkpatrick, former All Blacks loosehead prop Saimone Taumoepeau and former New Zealand Under 20s bookend Paea Fa'anunu.
La Rochelle's playoffs hopes hang by a thread after a 16-all draw with Lyon. Hikairo Forbes, Jason Eaton and Romana Graham were up against the Lyon Kiwi trio of Toby Arnold, Lachine Munro and Hoani Tui.
Toulouse hit their straps with a 67-19 pumping of Brive. Former North Harbour and Tonga No 12 Andrew Mailei turned out for Brive, but Toulouse were on fire, hooker Corey Flynn crossing for a try. Benson Stanley and Mike Delany featured in Clermont's 37-17 win over Grenoble, bouncing backs swiftly from their European Champions Cup disappointment.
A yellow card to Tom Donnelly did not deter Montpellier from getting the better, 33-16, of Joe Rokocoko's Bayonne. Bordeaux-Begles defeated Oyonnax 26-23 in an encounter laced with no less than eight Kiwis.
