Rugby: NZ-coached teams top Guinness PRO12

Nick Williams of Ulster (C) is tackled by James King of Ospreys (2nd from R). Photo / Getty Images

Scarlets and Connacht, both coached by New Zealanders, are sitting atop the Guinness PRO12 table after round five over the weekend.

A second half try to former Steelers midfielder Bundee Aki helped Connacht to a 21-16 win at Brendon Leonard's Ospreys. Former Auckland and Blues coach Pat Lam is at the helm of Connacht, and they lie second to Scarlets on points difference.

The Welsh side is coached by former Auckland, Northland and North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac, and they edged Munster 25-22, with Hadleigh Parkes on the wing and Regan King at centre.

Elsewhere, a try to former Blues No 8 Nick Williams guided Ulster to a 24-17 win over Cardiff Blues. Former Steelers openside flanker wore the No 7 jersey for Ulster.

Boris Stankovich's Dragons beat Treviso 19-12. Fullback Jayden Hayward kicked 12 points for the Italian club, while Chris Smylie, Dean Budd and former Blues and Manu Samoa lock Filo Paulo cane off the pine.

Isa Nacewa's Leinster lowered Glasgow 23-18, while Zebre enjoyed a rare, 19-11, win over the Edinburgh of Phil Burleigh, Mike Coman and Nasi Manu.

In the French Top 14, prop Ben Tameifuna made his debut off the bench in Racing-Metro's 27-18 victory over Stade Francais. His teammates include Casey Laulala and Joe Rokocoko and soon to be Dan Carter.

Grenoble, with former Hawke's Bay, Chiefs and Tonga prop Sona Taumalolo off the bench, won 31-23 at Castres, for whom former Auckland wing David Smith scored a try.

Pau are lying 12th on the table after a 13-18 loss to Brive, and are needing the arrival of Colin Slade and Conrad Smith to come sooner rather than later. Lock Daniel Ramsay was yellow-carded for Pau.

Bordeaux-Begles, with Peter Saili and Hugh Chalmers in the loose trio, won a notable 12-10 victory over Toulouse, who brought former Taranaki and Manu Samoa threequarter Paul Perez on as a sub.

La Rochelle, with Jason Eaton and Romana Graham locking the scrum, beat Agen 23-6, but the news was not so good for the six Kiwis, including Piri Weepu, at Oyonnax, who were crushed 61-3 by Toulon.

In England's Aviva Premiership, a late try to centre Johnny Leota helped Sale Sharks beat Worcester 27-13. Former All Black Bryn Evans was at lock for the Sharks.

Frank Halai made his debut on the Wasps' wing as they beat Bath 16-9, Jimmy Gopperth kicking 11 points.

Sean Maitland was straight back into action after Scotland's RWC exit, coming on as a sub in London Irish's 38-11 defeat to Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs.

Tonga captain Nili Latu was at openside for Newcastle as they went down 42-16 to Northampton Saints.

Fourteen points from the boot of Nick Evans was not enough for his Harlequins to head Leicester, who took the honours 22-19, with Mike FitzGerald at lock.