Rugby: Kiwis in Europe - Wilson more than a journeyman

James Wilson of Northampton. Photo / Getty Images

James Wilson may have been a journeyman in New Zealand rugby but he is proving very influential for the Northampton Saints in England's Aviva Premiership.

The 31-year-old utility back is playing well for the Saints at fullback and scored a try in the competition leaders' 17-13 victory over Nick Evans' Harlequins on the weekend.

Wilson, who plied his trade for Southland, the Chiefs and Highlanders, has scored 15 tries in 46 Premiership outings since 2012. Along with the Pisi brothers - Ken and George - and Manu Samoa and former Tasman and Crusaders halfback Kahn Fotuali'i - Wilson has led the way for the Saints.

London Wasps welcomed Piri Weepu on a short-term deal as injury cover and the former All Black came off the bench as his new side beat John Afoa's Gloucester 32-21. Weepu has left winless London Welsh and will join French Top 14 Oyonnax next season.

Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs defeated Bath 16-6, while London Irish hammered hapless London Welsh 50-12. Replacement Chris Noakes, the former Highlanders and Blues No 10, kicked a conversion for the victors.

The evergreen Brad Thorn, now 40, was at lock as his Leicester Tigers accounted for Daniel Braid's Sale Sharks 28-8. Off the Tigers bench came former Auckland lock Jack Whetton, who must be learning plenty off the remarkable Thorn.

The Premiership was overshadowed by the third round of Six Nations action, where England's Grand Slam hopes were crushed by Joe Schmidt's Ireland.

Pat Lam's Connacht side is making its way up the table in the Guinness PRO12 competition, steamrolling Treviso 53-5 in Galway. Flanker Jake Heenan, out of Northland and Auckland, scored a try, while Tom McCartney was at hooker. Sam Christie scored the only points for Treviso.

Zebre's Brendon Leonard was in top form as his team edged Nick Crosswell's Newport-Gwent Dragons 23-17. Nick Williams' Ulster beat Wayne Pivac's Scarlets team 25-20, which featured the midfield pairing of Regan King and Hadleigh Parkes.

Jimmy Gopperth slotted three penalty goals in Leinster's 9-9 draw with Ospreys.
Cardiff Blues, with Jarrad Hoeata at lock, beat Edinburgh 21-15. Former Hawke's Bay loose forward Mike Coman was at blindside and was sinbinned for the Scots, while there was a Kiwi 9-10 pairing in Grayson Hart and Jade Te Rure.

Strangely, neither of the top two sides, Munster and Glasgow, had any New Zealanders in their 23s on the weekend.

French Top 14 play resumes this weekend.