Pool 1: Leinster primed to swat Wasps next
There is no stopping Leinster, that defeat at Toulouse proving a blip, and they will surely be too powerful for Wasps when the champions travel to Coventry next Sunday. Johnny Sexton watched his replacement Ross Byrne give a dominant display in the 29-13 win over Toulouse, once the bluebloods of Europe who are rediscovering some of their old princely form. If ever there was an illustration of English clubs’ fall from grace in Europe it was at the Recreation Ground where Bath and Wasps, with three Heineken Cup wins between them, fought out a meaningless game with Bath squeaking home 18-16 thanks to a late kick from Rhys Priestland. For Wasps there is some consolation in the return of Joe Launchbury who followed his return against Northampton with another captain’s performance.
Champions Cup: Edinburgh gain stunning win in Toulon
• Match report: Bath 18-16 Wasps
Pool 2: Exeter still in frame but face Munster task next
Exeter Chiefs can still make progress after their convincing win over a demoralised Castres but Munster have only lost four times at Thomond Park in their European history and are dominating Pool Two. Saturday evening’s trip to Limerick will be mightily difficult for Rob Baxter’s men. It seems a long time ago now that Gloucester were celebrating that shock win at Exeter in the autumn. Danny Cipriani’s comeback was overshadowed by a brilliant performance by his opposite number Joey Carbery at Kingsholm on Friday evening. Carbery scored 26 points in a 41-15 win for Munster and controlled the game brilliantly. Johnny Sexton’s injured calf made may yet give Carbery the chance to shine against England. The game will not have made comfortable viewing for Exeter.
• Match report: Exeter 34-12 Castres
Exeter keep slim Champions Cup hopes alive with win over Castres
Pool 3: Lyon’s aged pack fail to dent Saracens
Saracens are the only side with a 100 % record in the competition and their shoulders must be tiring of carrying the English standard. Sunday’s bonus-point win in Lyon was a drab affair but with Maro Itoje restored to the side and Nick Tompkins, their young centre filling in superbly for the injured Brad Barritt, there was no way Lyon, with their aged pack, were going to put them off their stride. Itoje ended up in the sin-bin but Saracens lead the pool and can go through as the leading qualifier if they defeat Glasgow on Saturday. Glasgow, who started the weekend four points behind Saracens, made the most of Stuart Hogg’s return and their pack gave Cardiff Blues a tough afternoon. Rob Harley was impressive on his 200th appearance in the Warriors back row but it is difficult to see Glasgow putting a spoke in Saracens’ wheel next weekend.
• Match report: Lyon 10-28 Saracens
Quick guide
Champions Cup verdict
Team of the weekend
15 Jack Nowell Exeter
14 Darcy Graham Edinburgh
13 Garry Ringrose Leinster
12 James Johnstone Edinburgh
11 Jacob Stockdale Ulster
10 Joey Carbery Munster
9 Conor Murray Munster
1 Cian Healy Leinster
2 Jamie George Saracens
3 Jannie du Plessis Montpellier
4 Leone Nakarawa Racing 92
5 Tadgh Beirne Munster
6 Rhys Ruddock Leinster
7 Schalk Burger Saracens
8 Ken Owens Scarlets
Quote of the weekend
“I think the Premiership is so tribal. We smash the hell out of each other and then we are almost too tired to get out there and have a crack when it comes to the Champions Cup. You can see where the teams are in the table that teams are under a lot of pressure” – Todd Blackadder, Bath’s director of rugby, tries to explain English clubs’ struggles in Europe
Owens shines from front to back
Warren Gatland watched Scarlets beat Leicester on Saturday evening and he would have been impressed by the versatility of the Scarlets hooker Ken Owens who played at No 8 again because of his side’s back-row crisis and ended up with the man-of-the-match award. Wayne Pivac, his coach, said: “He’s a great guy who always puts the team first.”