RUGBY WRAP: URC derby wins for Stormers, Bulls; All Blacks nearly upset in Tokyo and more!

URC R7: Stormers and Bulls claim derby bragging rights

The Stormers recorded a 31-22 win over the Lions at Emirates Airline Park to occupy fourth heading into the URC’s four-week break. The Capetonians scored four tries to the hosts’ one, with the latter ninth after their three wins from six. In the other local derby of the weekend, the Bulls beat the Sharks 40-27 at Loftus to sit pretty in third, while Sean Everitt’s boys are eighth.

Elsewhere, second-placed Ulster ended an eight-year winless run at Thomond Park thanks to a 15-14 victory over Munster, Glasgow blanked Benetton 37-0 at the Scotstoun, leaders Leinster thumped Scarlets 35-5 in Llanelli, Dragons whacked Zebre 47-7, Connacht downed Ospreys 22-19 in Swansea and Edinburgh (fifth) won 25-17 in Edinburgh.

Autumn Nations Series: Japan almost pull off huge upset; Aussies edge Scotland

The All Blacks managed to scrape home 38-31 against Japan in Tokyo despite a Brodie Retallick red card. The hosts were fantastic and came oh so close to producing what would have been a spectacular upset, but just couldn’t pull it off in the end. The win came at a cost for the Kiwis though, with skipper Sam Cane (cheek fracture) and Dane Coles (calf) ruled out for the remainder of the year.

In the only other Test match on the weekend, Australia ended their three-match losing run against Scotland thanks to a 16-15 victory at Murrayfield. It was a typically tight encounter between the ninth-ranked Aussies and sixth-ranked Scots, but the visitors ultimately held on to start their European tour on the right note.

Prem R8: Sarries remain unbeaten

Table-toppers Saracens won their seventh game of the Premiership campaign after beating second-placed Sale Sharks 33-22 at the StoneX. Mark McCall’s men have now opened up a 10-point gap at the summit of the standings and don’t look like letting up anytime soon. Sale are second, two-points better off Harlequins, who pipped London Irish 24-22 at The Stoop.

In the weekend’s other results, fourth-placed Gloucester condemned Exeter to their second straight defeat in a 38-22 result at the Kingsholm and Saints beat the Bears 45-31 at Franklin’s Gardens.

Top 14 R9: Leaders Toulouse fall at Bayonne

Toulouse lost their second game of the Top 14 campaign in a 22-26 loss to Bayonne at the Stade Jean-Dauger, although Le Stade still hold a nine-point lead at the top of the standings. Bayonne are eighth, with just five-points separating 11^th from second.

Elsewhere, Castres beat Clermont 26-22 at the Stade Pierre-Fabre, Pau upset La Rochelle 38-21 at the Stade Marcel Deflandre, defending champs Montpellier saw off Stade Francais 23-19 at the GGL, hosts Perpignan recorded a 28-21 result over Lyon, Racing 92 won 43-38 at Brive and Bordeaux squeaked past Toulon 27-26 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.