Rugby: Kiwis in Europe roundup

Charles Piutau of Wasps poses for a portrait during a Wasps Media Session. Photo / Getty Images.

Charlie Piutau marked his Aviva Premiership debut with a victory as Wasps defeated Gloucester 23-3 over the weekend.

Fresh from a brilliant season for Auckland and some top displays for the All Blacks in July and August, Piutau was at fullback for the club, along with wing Frank Halai and former Auckland No 8 Nathan Hughes, in beating John Afoa's club.

Piutau's fellow Auckland outside back Bryce Heem scored a try on his Worcester Warriors debut as they edged Newcastle Falcons 28-20. The Falcons included first five Mike Delany, flanker Nili Latu, and former Chiefs lock/No 8 Kane Thompson.

Northampton Saints continued their poor start to the season, going down 12-6 to Saracens. The Saints had centre George Pisi and halfback Kahn Fotuali'i in their starting line-up.

The boot of Nick Evans was key in his Harlequins club's 16-14 win over Sale Sharks. He kicked four goals, while Sale captain Daniel Braid scored a try. The latter also had Kiwis beside him in No 7 TJ Ioane, lock Bryn Evans and midfielder Sam Tuitupou.

Leicester had Telusa Veainu at fullback but it was not enough as they fell 19-6 to Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs.

In the Guinness PRO12, Pat Lam's Connacht went top of the table with their fifth win on the bounce, a 33-19 defeat of Treviso. Hooker Tom McCartney scored a try for Connacht, while Jayden Hayward kicked four goals for the vanquished.

A yellow card to midfielder Francis Saili did not prevent Munster winning 16-14 at Edinburgh, who fielded Mike Coman at blindside flanker and Nasi Manu off the bench.

Halfback Grayson Hart's Glasgow Warriors edged Cardiff Blues, for whom Rey Lee-Lo was at No 13, 35-30. Brendon Leonard's Ospreys beat Zebre 36-3, and Hayden Triggs' Leinster won a tight 19-15 win over Scarlets. Hadleigh Parkes scored a try for the latter, while Otago utility back Michael Collins made his debut off the bench for Wayne Pivac's side.

In the French Top 14, Tom Taylor turned out for Toulon as a sub, kicking a late conversion in the big 52-8 win over Tom Donnelly and Anthony Tuitavake's Montpellier.

Locks Jason Eaton and Romana Graham helped La Rochelle, the old club of Steve Hansen, to a 38-3 win over Piri Weepu's Oyonnax. Toulouse flexed their muscle, hammering Grenoble 52-12 with former Auckland lock Joe Tekori and Neemia Tialata featuring.

Paul Williams' Stade Francais, the defending champs, narrowly headed Clermont 14-9.
A try to former Auckland wing David Smith aided Castres to a fine 34-8 win over Racing-Metro. Ross Filipo copped a yellow card for the Parisian club, who had Joe Rokocoko on the wing and Ben Tameifuna at tighthead prop.

Daniel Ramsay's Pau scored a much needed 33-31 victory over Agen.