Wasps lapses frustrate Dai Young, Leinster look a cut above and Rhys Patchell’s attacking flair gives Scarlets momentum
Clockwise from left: Scott Fardy celebrates scoring Leinster’s eighth try, Scarlets’ Rhys Patchell and Racing’s Maxime Machenaud.
Composite: Sportsfile via Getty, CameraSport via Getty Images, INPHO/Rex/Shutterstock
Pool 1: Wasps’ weaknesses in defence punished this time
After Wasps had cruised into a 21-0 lead with three converted tries after half an hour it appeared a long way back for Harlequins but then their visitors do have a habit of making life hard for themselves. Wasps began at Bath a couple of weeks ago in a similar fashion and just about got away with letting Todd Blackadder’s side back into the match. On Saturday though their luck ran out and their director of rugby, Dai Young, could not hide his frustration. “We got what we deserved. Five or six guys showed a real lack of appetite to defend,” he said. “Teams are scoring points against us far too easily.” They are effectively out of the competition but their visitors on Sunday, Ulster, certainly aren’t after victory over La Rochelle, who may have peaked a little too early in their debut Champions Cup season. Gerard Meagher
Pool 1 matches: Ulster 20-13 La Rochelle; Harlequins 33-28 Wasps
Pool 2: Ospreys’ dreams are no longer out of reach
Saracens were last knocked out at the pool stage in 2011 but are now reliant on others to make the quarter-finals after their draw at Ospreys. The Welsh region could top the group with victory at Clermont on Saturday; if that appears fanciful given that they have only ever once won in France in the competition, in Bourgoin 10 years ago, two wins and a draw against Premiership opposition have fuelled them with belief. It was only last May that Saracens and Clermont were in Edinburgh for the final, but while the Top 14 champions will secure a home quarter-final if they beat Ospreys, they are no longer invincible in front of their faithful. Sarries started with two wins and Ospreys with two defeats, but at a time of upheaval in Europe, in can quickly turn to out. Paul Rees
Pool 2 matches:
Northampton 34-21 Clermont; Ospreys 15-15 Saracens
Pool 3: Leinster’s favourites tag looks firmer than ever
There may still be one round to go but Leinster already have this pool sewn up and a home quarter-final in the bag. With Clermont undermined by injuries, Saracens stuttering and La Rochelle unfamiliar with the latter rounds of Europe, there is little doubt about the current tournament favourites. Even without a number of established players, Leinster still cut a weakened Glasgow to ribbons on Sunday, leaving only the issue of who finishes second in the pool. A bonus-point win for Exeter, impressive 41-10 winners over Montpellier, in Glasgow should be sufficient to edge the Chiefs through when the pool is decided on Saturday. Robert Kitson
Pool 3 matches: Exeter 41-10 Montpellier; Leinster 55-19 Glasgow
Pool 4: Machenaud’s boot further dents English clubs’ hopes
For all Munster’s endeavour in their defeat by Racing, it could be considered a blow for the Premiership clubs hoping to squeeze into the quarter‑finals through the back door. Had the Irish province held out for victory in Paris, Saracens, Wasps and Bath would have seen their chances of reaching the knockout stages markedly improved. As it was, two late Maxime Machenaud penalties proved decisive in a 34-30 victory and as a result both sides can fancy their chances of advancing. Had Racing been defeated, they would have been heading for one of the two second-placed spots that does not qualify. They travel to Leicester, already eliminated, in the last round and Welford Road is never an easy place for French sides to play but Racing’s victory can be viewed as another blow on a difficult weekend for the English clubs with hopes of progressing, Exeter aside. GM
Pool 4 matches: Racing 34-30 Munster 30; Castres 39-0 Leicester
Pool 5: Scarlets set down a blueprint for Gatland to think about
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Scarlets’ demolition of Bath on Friday night was their commitment to such a stylish gameplan from 1 to 15. It was Rhys Patchell, wearing the No15 jersey, who arguably caught the eye most however, and had Leigh Halfpenny not failed a fitness test, it is unlikely that he would have lined up at full-back. Halfpenny is no mug but he does not have the attacking instincts of Patchell, who lit up The Rec by repeatedly running from deep and sparking a number of the Scarlets counterattacks. Toulon were emphatic winners over Benetton but if the Scarlets repeat this kind of performance they can have every confidence of reaching the quarter-finals. It remains to be seen to what extent Warren Gatland copies the Scarlets’ blueprint during the Six Nations however, but whether he finds room for Patchell will provide a clue. GM
Pool 5 matches: Bath 17-36 Scarlets; Toulon 36-0 Benetton