The Best and the Worst of the Heineken Cup and Amlin Cup - in my expert opinion.

The Best and the Worst of the Heineken Cup and Amlin Cup - in my expert opinion

Biggest defeat - Cetransa El Salvador take a bow, 97 -11 to Sale. Back to South America for you! Runner up - Stade Francais 57 - 6 Crociati Rugby . Did I hear a big gulp from Leeds in the same group as Stade?

Best use of facial hair in a supporting role - Erik Lund(Biarritz) (above)

Biggest fright Leicester! Benetton Treviso came within a whisker of causing a massive upset.

Best rugby brain Jim Mallinder, Northampton coach “Our goalkickers, they have got some weaknesses" No s&*t Sherlock! Why did I rashly plump for Saints in that pool?

Funny old world award – Toulon best the Ospreys and all the points for Toulon are scored by English players.

Worst Jersey – Perpignan. Speaks for itself

First – win of the season for Leeds Carnegie!

Honourable mention - Go the Scarlets!

Irish Round Up

Ulster 30 - 6 Aironi Rugby Ulster got the bonus point – still creaking a bit but you can’t argue with 5 points. Pienaar continues to impress.

Leinster 38 - 22 Racing Metro 92 MASSIVE result for Leinster. 5 tries, everything is starting to go well again. I couldn’t catch the match properly because of junior cricket commitments – should that be cricketing commitments for Junior, and I missed a cracker by the sounds of things. Sean O'Brien man of the match is due recognition for a player who goes from strength to strength. This is Chabal introducing himself to Heaslip: http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2010/10/sebastien-chabals-big-tackle-on-jamie.html

London Irish 23 - 17 Munster Munster lost but got a losing bonus point. A few years ago that wouldn’t have been good enough for them, but Irish are a good team and even O’Gara candidly admitted they didn’t deserve to win. David Wallace was immense, and Bob Casey must be knocking on the selector’s door. They aren’t missing Mafi at all IMO, what they need in midfield is incision, and Mafi is blunt force trauma exemplified.

Cavalieri Prato 23 - 21 Connacht Connacht took their eye off the ball – they obviously had the points already chalked up in their minds. Italy is providing a few surprises this year.

Shark Bite

Western Province 33-21 Sharks Province manned up at home and came up with a good win. Being able to throw on 4 Springboks didn’t hurt their cause. Sharks are still top of the league, and scored three tries.