Ulster and Leinster Earn The Plaudits.

Without question, pride of place from a performance point of view in terms of the Irish sides, must go to Ulster for their superb 22-20 victory over Stade Francais in Ravenhill on Friday night. It was a win that hauls them right back into contention n the Pool of Death and the results from Welford Road on Sunday ensures that this pool will go right down to the final minutes of the final pool games.

Leinster also deserve huge praise for the way they dug out their win over Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park. Once again they owed much to a superb defence and also to the clever touchfinds from Christian Warner and Brian O’Driscoll.

On paper Munster looked to have the easiest task of the Irish sides, and so it proved against an Italian side who offered brave resistance for the opening half but crumbled under the presssure of the home side’s assured play.

On Sunday, Leicester Tigers revived their challenge for honours with a 34-3 win over Gwent Dragons at Welford Road. The home side were full value for the bonus point victory after Mike Ruddock’s side gifted them two tries in the first half.

The first came at the start of the half when Neil Baxter raced in unopposed after Ben Breeze knocked-on and then, with a try looking on for the Dragons when they trailed by 13 points just before the break, Leon Lloyd intercepted and ran 90 metres to score left of the posts.

Although London Wasps ran out comfortable winners over Calvisano scoring seven tries in the process – four for Kenny Logan – coach Warren Gatland was left fuming after his side conceded five tries. They lead Pool 6 with nine points while Gloucester, 49-13 victors over Bourgoin at Kingsholm, lead Pool 5 and are the only side to have amassed a full quota of points (10).