McMillan's first Irish derby and Nankivell's new deal: the Kiwis in the Premiership and URC

The Premiership and the United Rugby Championship return this weekend after the European break, and two New Zealand coaches have the fixtures to watch: Clayton McMillan takes Munster to Dublin for the oldest grudge match in Irish rugby, and Pat Lam's Bristol host Exeter a week after a heavy defeat in Cape Town.

Leinster v Munster, Aviva Stadium (Sunday 6am NZT)

McMillan, the former Chiefs coach, went into his first Irish derby on the back of a 33-25 Champions Cup win over Racing 92, while Leinster won 48-23 in Clermont. "There is plenty of scope for us to improve," McMillan said when naming his side.

At the heart of it is Alex Nankivell, the former Chiefs centre, who starts in Munster's midfield three days after signing a two-year extension that keeps him in Limerick until at least 2029. Since arriving from Hamilton in 2023 he has played 58 games, made the URC's Elite XV, and won both Munster's 2026 Player of the Year and the Supporters' Player of the Year. Munster general manager Ian Costello said Nankivell "has ambitions to play at international level". Michael Ala'alatoa is on the Munster bench. Leinster's NZ-born halfback Jamison Gibson-Park missed last weekend's game, and his status is not yet confirmed.

Bristol v Exeter, Ashton Gate (Sunday 5.30am NZT)

Pat Lam, the Auckland-raised former Samoa captain who runs Bristol, rested his frontline players for the Champions Cup trip to Cape Town and lost 49-12 to the Stormers. He has said the Premiership is his priority, and this is the game that test comes in. Exeter are sixth, two places ahead of Bristol. Their big New Zealand signing, Dallas McLeod, the one-Test All Black who agreed a three-year deal in February, has not arrived yet: he is still playing centre for Canterbury, who meet Northland in the NPC final on Monday. Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter called him "a really important signing for us". Karl Dickson referees.

The rest of the weekend

In the Premiership, Leicester host Northampton (Sunday 3.05am NZT) and Harlequins host Saracens (Monday 4am NZT, after the UK clocks go back). In the URC, the Bulls host Ulster, the Stormers play the Scarlets, Benetton host unbeaten Glasgow, and the Ospreys meet the Dragons at St Helen's in Swansea, the Ospreys' first game at the ground. Friday's games were still being played when we went to press; we will add the results.

The Australians often mistaken for Kiwis

Some names in these competitions are often claimed as New Zealanders. Glasgow's Bayley Kuenzle, signed from the Western Force, and the Ospreys pair Lalakai Foketi and Lawson Creighton, both from the Waratahs, are Australian-developed players, although Foketi spent time with the Chiefs. Connacht's Ciarán Frawley, who scored twice against Saracens last week, is an Ireland international.