Kiwis in Europe: Clermont's ex-Pat contingent continue blistering run in Champions Cup

Racing-92’s Kiwi contingent of Ben Tameifuna, Dominic Bird and Ben Volavola have booked themselves Champions Cup quarter-final rugby following their 39-22 win over Munster this morning.

Tameifuna was at tighthead prop, Bird at lock, while former North Harbour and Canterbury pivot Volavola was used as a replacement.

The Parisians top Pool 4, in which Sean Maitland’s Saracens also beat Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys 22-15.

In Pool 1, Chris Boyd’s Northampton Saints are hanging in there, holding second place after a scratchy 33-20 victory over Treviso. The Franks brothers, Ben and Owen, made their entries off the bench, while Teimana Harrison started at No 8.

Leinster continued on its merry way atop Pool 1, crushing Lyon 42-14, with James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park featuring. Toby Arnold was at fullback for the Lyonnais.

Elsewhere in the Champions Cup, a Jackson Willison try was not enough for Bath, which fell 19-25 at home to Harlequins.

Ihaia West and Tawera Kerr-Barlow had good days as La Rochelle defeated Sale 30-23. West slotted four goals, while TKB scored a try. Uini Atonio was a replacement.

Willi Heinz scored a try as Gloucester beat his opposite Kahn Fotuali’i’s Montpellier 29-6. Jason Woodward was at fullback for the cherry and whites.

Glasgow and Exeter drew 31-all, with Callum Gibbins copping a yellow card for the Warriors. Aki Seiuli was used off the bench.

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Tries to the evergreen (at 36) Jerome Kaino, again wearing the No 7 jersey, and Pita Ahki helped Toulouse to a 21-7 win at Connacht. Charlie Faumuina and Joe Tekori, who was binned, were in the French club’s pack. Bundee Aki, Tom McCartney and Dominic Robertson-McCoy turned out for Connacht.

George Moala continued his good form at second five with a try in Clermont’s 29-13 defeat of Ulster. Alongside him were Isaia Toeava, Fritz Lee and ‘The Tongan Bear’ Loni Uhila. Sean Reidy and Matt Faddes featured for Ulster.

In the Challenge Cup, Telusa Veainu’s Leicester beat Rey Lee-Lo and Filo Paulo’s Cardiff Blues 30-20.

Julian Savea, this time at centre, scored a try to continue his resurgence for Toulon in the 27-15 win at Scarlets. Bryce Heem was fullback, while Liam Messam and Brian Alainu’uese also played for the red and blacks. Scarlets fielded Johnny McNicholl, Hadleigh Parkes and Sam Lousi.

Bayonne, with Alofa Alofa, Mat Luamanu and Edwin Maka in the ranks, beat London Irish, which fielded Belgium Tuatagaloa and TJ Ioane, 27-10.

Jono Kitto was at halfback for Worcester, in a challenging week for the club with lock Michael Fatialofa in hospital battling his neck injury, in the crushing 66-10 win over Enisei.

Alapati Leiua scored a try for Bristol in the Bears’ 52-3 thumping of Brive. Steven Luatua and Jake Heenan also appeared for Pat Lam’s team.

Jimmy Gopperth seems to have found a home in the Wasps’ No 12 jersey, scoring two tries in the 52-24 win at Agen. Lima Sopoaga, back in the No 10 jersey after a turbulent period, kicked six conversions.

Alex Tulou and the veteran Karena Wihongi enjoyed Castres’ 42-14 victory over Jacob Botica’s Dragons.

Zebre upset Stade Francais 29-24 in Paris. Jimmy Tuivaiti started at No 8 for the Italians, while off the bench came Josh Renton and Junior Laloifi. The Parisians fielded former Otago No 8 Joketani Koroi and Sione Anga’aelangi.

 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, now at Pau, saw his club to a 47-19 result at Calvisano.

Bordeaux-Begles saw off Edinburgh 32-17, with Simon Berghan and Simon Hickey, who kicked a conversion, featuring for the latter.

This weekend sees the sixth and final round of European action.

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