Heineken Cup
Following the Autumn Internationals, Rugby Union’s European competition resumed with the third round of group matches. In Pool one Sale scored an important away win over Castres. The Sharks narrowly came out on top 20-16 to go four points clear of Munster, who defeated the Gwent Dragons 24-8 to effectively end the Welsh side’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
Leeds achieved a nail biting last gasp 21-20 victory over Perpignan with a re-taken conversion kick to maintain their chances in Pool two. They are now one point behind both the French side and the Cardiff Blues, for whom Jonah Lomu made his first competitive appearance since 2002, dominating Calvisamo 25-10 in Italy.
Leicester kept their narrow Pool three lead with a 30-12 win over the Ospreys. Stade France are in second after shading their all-French duel with Clermont 16-12.
Bottom club Treviso are out of it in Pool four following a heavy 34-7 defeat by Biarritz, but any of the remaining three can still progress. Ulster beat Saracens 19-10 to ensure that the leaders remain closely bunched.
In Pool five Bath and Leinster continue to dominate. Bottom club Glasgow who continue to acquit themselves well at this level, took a shock 17-8 lead before Bath came back to take the game 31-26. Leinster thrashed Bourgoin 53-7.
Lawrence Dalgalio’s Wasps look to have dropped out of contention following their 21-13 loss to Llanelli. The Scarlets are now in second, three points behind leaders Toulouse, who won 20-13 in Edinburgh.
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