Top 14 Orange
Australasia's foreign legion enjoy another fine weekend in European club action
Sam Bruce
November 30, 2015
Drew Mitchell runs to score a try
Drew Mitchell runs to score a try© THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Returned Wallabies star Matt Giteau promised Toulon would be make a fresh start against Clermont in the Top 14, and that's exactly what happened on another fine weekend for Australasia's foreign legion in Europe.

The veteran playmaker said that Toulon had tweaked a few "small things" after a slow start to the European season, including a 32-6 hammering by Wasps in their previous outing, and it appeared to make all the difference as they hammered title rivals Clermont 35-9 at their Stade Marcel Michelin fortress.

Joining Giteau in the matchday 23 were fellow Aussies Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor, but not recent arrival and All Blacks hero Ma'a Nonu, Nor Quade Cooper. Toulon scored four tries to pick up the bonus point, Mitchell icing a superb evening with the all-important fourth score in the 80th minute.

Mitchell finished the match with 14 runs for 111 metres to cap a memorable Top 14 return, while Giteau did more than enough to ensure that off-season arrival Cooper will need to be patient.

A day earlier, Jake White's Montpellier picked up their sixth win of the season on the back of a try from former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen.

Mowen crossed 11 minutes from full-time to help Montpellier past La Rochelle but South African Demetri Catrakilis did most of the damage, the former Southern Kings and Stormers pivot kicking 20 points to ensure White's outfit remained inside the top six.

While Nonu's arrival was the headline act down south, Dan Carter took centre stage in Paris as he watched new club Racing 92 down fellow heavyweights Toulouse at Stade de France. Former All Blacks back-rower Chris Masoe crossed late in the second half to kill off Toulouse's fightback and move Racing past their opponents into second spot on the Top 14 ladder.

Racing's Parisian neighbours also made the weekend's winners' circle, with the defending Top 14 champions edging Grenoble 21-19 at the Stade des Alpes. Former Brumbies back-rower Peter Kimlin crossed for one of Grenoble's two tries but it wasn't enough as Stade Francais fly-half Jules Plisson kicked seven penalties to give his side their sixth win of the season.

Guinness PRO12

Former Chiefs centre and All Blacks aspirant Bundee Aki was the difference as Connacht ended a 29-year drought at Thomond Park with a 18-12 win over Irish rivals Munster. Aki scored the decisive try three minutes from full-time to give former Blues boss Pat Lam one of the finest moments of his coaching career and ensure the Kiwi's side maintained their place at the summit of the multi-nation league.

It was a largely dour weekend otherwise across the Guinness PRO12, with only Edinburgh managing more than 20 points in a 32-13 win over the Dragons. New Zealander Hadleigh Parkes did cross for a five-pointer in the Scarlets' win over Zebre but it was one of a precious few tries on a rainy weekend.

Peter Betham makes a break for Leicester Tigers against Bath Rugby.
Peter Betham makes a break for Leicester Tigers against Bath Rugby.© David Rogers/Getty Images

Aviva Premiership

Frank Halai continued his fine start to life in England as Wasps rumbled to yet another victory, a 33-15 victory over last-placed London-Irish in the second match of Saturday's double-header at Twickenham. The one-Test All Black scored a double to outshine fellow Kiwi Charles Piutau and ensure the struggling Irish remained pointless after five rounds of the Aviva Premiership.

Fellow Kiwi Nick Evans, meanwhile, scored 10 points for Harlequins against Exeter Chiefs but it wasn't enough as the Londoners slipped to a 26-25 defeat at Sandy Park. The teams scored five tries in a match that defied the horrendous conditions on offer in the West Country before replacement Tim Swiel sent what would have been a match-winning penalty wide in the 78th minute.

Telusa Veainu scored a breakaway try
© David Rogers/Getty Images

The English action wrapped up on Sunday evening as Leicester held off long-time rivals and fellow title contenders in ugly conditions at Welford Road. Tongan star Telusa Veainu was again among the Tigers' try-scorers while former Wallabies winger Peter Betham had a fine game at outside centre, the Aussie making seven runs for 62 metres despite the heavy ground.

© Sam Bruce

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