Munster had a tough time beating Treviso 31-20 in Pool 5, but managed a bonus point with a string of tries in the second half. Connacht had a good win in France but Ulster lost to Stade Francais 13-10.
Treviso 20 - 31 Munster:
Treviso started the game well and scored a try within the first five minutes when Gonzalo Canale went over. Outhalf Simon Mason converted for a seven-point lead. But a quick free-kick from Anthony Foley allowed Ronan O'Gara to feed Mike Mullins for an immediate Munster response. O'Gara kicked the conversion to bring the sides to 7-7.
Both teams missed a penalty atempt before Treviso's Mason kicked for 3 points to give them the lead. Munster were not behind for long, as James Blaney went over for Munster's second try on the 30 minute mark, O'Gara missed the conversion and the score stood at 12-10 at half time.
In the second half, Treviso looked threatening, but it was Munster who got on the scoreboard next, just prior to 60 minutes, when another push from the pack saw captain Jim Williams touch down, before Foley grabbed an opportunist score for the fourth try, and a bonus point. After two misses, O'Gara finally hit his second conversion. After a Franco Smith drop goal for the hosts, Jeremy Staunton added another try for Munster, before a consolation score for Alessandro Troncon to leave the final score at 31-20.
Full Details at: www.munsterrugby.ie
Stade Francais 13 - 10 Ulster:
Ulster took the lead on 12 minutes against Stade Francais when David Humphreys charged down a ball in midfield and ran all the way over for a try, which he the converted. However, just three minutes later, Ulster conceded a penalty, which was quickly taken for Arnaud Marchois to score. Diego Dominguez's conversion levelled matters. Stade Francais dominated possession for the next 15 minutes, but after defending well, Ulster went ahead when Humphreys hit a penalty after a Stade offside. Ulster kept the narrow lead to the break, thanks to more last gasp defending.
Following a brief period of Ulster dominance early in the second half, the hosts once again took over. The French won a penalty off an Ulster scrum and Dominguez calmly struck to make it 10-10. Inevitably, with Stade all over Ulster, the Parisians won another penalty ten minutes from time and Dominguez made no mistake.
Full Details at: www.ulsterrugby.ie
Narbonne 18 - 27 Connacht:
Connacht pulled off an excellent 27-18 away win to Narbonne after leading 24-3 at half-time despite the home side enjoying the majority of territory and possession.
Fullback Matt Mostyn, centre Darren Yapp and winger Conor McPhillips all scored tries against the run of play while veteran Eric Elwood added all three conversions.
The French club fought their way back into the match on the back of tries by backrower Gonzalo Longo-Elia and lock Olivier Olibeau as the home pack began to dominate, but Mark McHugh had the last word with a late penalty goal.
Full Details at: www.connachtrugby.ie