Kiwis in Europe: Props play part in Bristol's maiden win

Anthony Perenise.

Props Soane Tonga'uiha and Anthony Perenise are celebrating Bristol's first win of the season, a 41-14 European Challenge Cup triumph at home over French club Pau.

The west country club are bottom of the Aviva Premiership, but were buoyed by the signing several days ago of Connacht's Pat Lam as head coach for 2017-18.

Pau, it must be said, rested several of their New Zealand stars, halfback Taniela Moa the only one to suit up.

A try to another prop, Josh Hohneck, helped Gloucester to a 35-14 victory over La Rochelle. Motu Matu'u and Joe Latta joined Hohneck in the home pack, while the French club fielded Victor Vito, Jason Eaton, Hikairo Forbes, Uini Atonio and David Raikuna.

Ti'i Paulo's Lyon, who also rested several Kiwis, dispatched Newcastle 42-12, while Dean Budd's Treviso won a rare away victory, 28-15, over Bayonne, for whom Ryan Tongia was on the wing. William Whetton's Brive beat Tom Halse's Enisei 43-8.

A try to Kieron Fonotia was one of many for Ospreys in their 59-7 shellacking of Grenoble, for whom Steven Setephano was at No 8, Tino Nemani on the wing and Nige Hunt at second five.

Cardiff Blues had three Kiwis in their line-up - Jarrad Hoeata, Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo - as they repelled Bath 28-3. The latter fielded Dan Bowden and Jack Wilson at Nos 10 and 11 respectively.

Winston Stanley, Alofa Alofa and George Naoupu all featured in Harlequins' 42-3 thrashing of Timisaora Saracens. Steve Shennan, Paula Kinikinilau and Jack Umaga all started in the Romanian club's backline.

A red card to Phil Burleigh did not prevent his Edinburgh side edging Paul Williams' Stade Francais 28-23. Williams himself was yellow carded for a tip tackle.

In the Champions Cup, Joe Edwards was in the No 7 jersey as Bordeaux-Begles beat Exeter 13-7 away from home.

Ma'a Nonu's Toulon beat Hadleigh Parkes' Scarlets 31-20, while David Smith's Castres fell 32-14 to Montpellier.

Jimmy Gopperth kicked five goals in Wasps' 32-17 win over a Connacht side that included Tom McCartney, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Jake Heenan, Stacey Ili and Bundee Aki. No 8 Nathan Hughes, fresh from making an impression for England in the autumn internationals, scored a try for Wasps. Alapati Leiua was at centre.

Isa Nacewa was among the points for Leinster in their 37-10 win over Northampton. The former Blues utility scored a try and kicked five goals from the left wing. Jamison Gibson-Park also scored for the victors. Ahsee Tuala scored a try off the bench for the Saints, who were not helped by cards to George Pisi (yellow) and England's Kiwi-born skipper Dylan Hartley (red).

A Charlie Piutau try helped Ulster to a tight, 39-32 win over Clermont. Sean Reidy was at No 8 for the Irish province. Benson Stanley came off the pine for the French club.

A try and two goals from Dan Carter was insufficient as his Racing-Metro fell 23-14 at home to Glasgow, who used Corey Flynn and Brian Alainu'uese off the bench.

Seven goals from another former Crusaders No 10, Tyler Bleyendaal, saw Munster blank Brendon O'Connor's Leicester Tigers 38-0. Yet another Crusader, wing Sean Maitland, scored a double as Saracens crushed Johnny Leota's Sale 50-3.

The Zebre-Toulouse game was called off due to fog at the 64 minute mark, but not before Toulouse No 6 Joe Tekori had scored a try in the 36-6 result.

Round four European action continues this weekend.