FOLLOWING EACH BRUISING weekend of rugby we cast an eye over our pro players earning a crust beyond these shores. Mr Kidney, you’re welcome….
Heineken Cup
Tom Hayes put in a tremendous, man-of-the-match effort for Exeter Chiefs as they narrowly lost their pool match to Leinster. The Chiefs’ Ian Whitten, who conceded a first-half penalty, and Gareth Steenson, two from four with his placed kicks, could not deliver the ‘Tomahawk Chop’ to the European champions.
Mark McCall’s Saracens destroyed the Edinburgh side coached by former Connacht boss Michael Bradley. The Scots were pasted 45-0 and face Munster next at Thomond Park.
Robin Copeland (Cardiff) and Cillian Willis (Sale) both came off the bench as Sharks edged out their Welsh opponents 34-33. Prop Tony Buckley was one of the Sale heroes on the night with a vital try.
Niall Morris, who had been deputising for club captain Geordan Murphy at full-back, switched to the right wing for Leicester Tigers but was powerless to stop Toulouse winning 23-9.
Amlin Challenge Cup
Grenoble captain Andrew Farley, formerly of Connacht, led his team to a huge 59-3 Amlin win over I Cavalier Prato. The French victors have former Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman as forwards coach.
Worcester Warriors, featuring Neil Best at blindside flanker, totted up a bigger winning margin (85-5) as they ran in 13 tries against Spanish champions Bizkaia Gernika.
London Irish defeated Bordeaux Begles 43-16 at Stade Andre Moga. Ian Humphreys contributed with 11 points while Tomás O’Leary had a fine game at scrum-half. Brian Blaney was on the bench but did not feature.
Elsewhere
Jeremy Davidson’s Stade Aurillicois side defeated Narbonne 32-15. Forward Denis Fogarty plays with the French D2 outfit.
James Gethings featured in Jersey’s 20-20 draw with Pontypridd in the British & Irish Cup, while Kieran Hallet was an unused sub in the Cornish Pirates 44-32 victory over Carmenthan in the same competition.
Brendan Burke came on for two-try hero James Stephenson as Bedford Blues got their B&I Cup campaign off to a flying start by overcoming Bedwas 48-23.
David McIlwaine and Matt Williams, who received a yellow card, were on the winning Bristol side in their clash with Cardiff Blues’ A team.
There were comfortable B&I wins for Ulster, Leinster and Munster’s A sides while Connacht’s lost 18-14 to Newport.
