Kiwis in Europe: Braid sent off for trampling head

Luke Braid was sent off for what was purported to be trampling on the head of Toulon counterpart Mamuka Gorgodze. Photo / Getty

The cards - both yellow and red - rained down in the French Top 14 over the weekend, and New Zealanders copped more than their share.

Bordeaux-Begles loose forward Luke Braid was sent off for what was purported to be trampling on the head of Toulon counterpart Mamuka Gorgodze. To add to his woes, his club lost 20-10 to the star-studded Toulon, for whom Ma'a Nonu played at second five. Simon Hickey kicked two goals for the vanquished.

Brive replacement William Whetton was yellow carded for an "illegal tackle" in the 30-12 loss to Toulouse, who included Joe Tekori, Luke McAlister, and Census Johnston.

Loose forward Jason Eaton was binned in La Rochelle's 23-all draw with Racing-Metro, for whom Dan Carter returned to action with five goals. Victor Vito and Uini Atonio both turned out for La Rochelle, while the Parisians also fielded Anthony Tuitavake, Chris Masoe, Casey Laulala, and Joe Rokocoko.

Former Waikato No 8 Rory Grice saw yellow in Grenoble's 37-51 defeat to Montpellier.
David Smith's Castres edged Lyon 23-19. The latter club fielded Toby Arnold, Taiasina Tuifua, Ti'i Paulo, and Josh Bekhuis.

Stade Francais hammered Tom Donnelly's Bayonne 51-5.

There was something of a Kiwi-fest in the Pau-Clermont clash. The home side won an important victory 40-35, with fullback Tom Taylor kicking six goals, while Colin Slade and Conrad Smith both scored tries. Taniela Moa (9), Jamie Mackintosh (1) and Chris King (17) were also in the line-up. Clermont's Kiwis were Isaia Toeava (15), Fritz Lee (8) and Hosea Gear (11).

In the Aviva Premiership, Leicester - with Jono Kitto, Mike FitzGerald and Brendon O'Connor in the ranks - beat Northampton 19-11. The Saints started Michael Paterson at lock, with the Pisi brothers, George and Ken, off the bench.

Gloucester, with Willi Heinz, John Afoa and Joe Latta in the mix, beat Bristol 26-18. Jason Woodward kicked three goals for Bristol.

A Sean Maitland try was insufficient for champions Saracens, beaten 14-11 at Bath, whose halves were Kahn Fotuali'i and Dan Bowden.

Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs beat Sale Sharks 21-3. Sam Tuitupou, TJ Ioane, Bryn Evans and Johnny Leota all played for the Sharks.

Wasps, who started Frank Halai and Alapati Leiua, won 26-12 at Worcester, who included Bryce Heem and Jackson Willison.

Mike Delany kicked a conversion from fullback as his Newcastle Falcons edged Alofa Alofa's Harlequins 38-32.

In the Guinness PRO12, Isa Nacewa's four goals helped Leinster to a 28-15 win over Nick Crosswell's Dragons.

Charlie Piutau scored a try in Ulster's 35-22 win at Cardiff Blues. Sean Reidy was at No 8 for Ulster. Willis Halaholo, who partnered Rey Lee-Lo in midfield, scored a try for the Blues.

Connacht hooker Tom McCartney scored a brace in his club's 47-8 defeat to Treviso. McCartney's teammates included loose forwards Nepia Fox-Matamua and midfielders Stacey Ili and Bundee Aki.

Hadleigh Parkes' Scarlets won 31-24 at Zebre, while Munster, with Rhys Marshall and Te Aihe Toma off the bench, edged Corey Flynn's Glasgow 16-15.

Ospreys beat Nasi Manu's Edinburgh 31-22. Ma'afu Fia scored a try for Ospreys, while Brendon Leonard (9) and Kieron Fonotia (23) also featured.

This weekend sees round three of the European competitions.