It was a good weekend for the Irish players plying their trade across the Irish Sea and further afield, and none more so than Paul Burke who was outstanding in Harlequins' European Cup 30-24 victory over Bridgend, contributing 18 points. Simon Masons, the former Ireland fullback and a European Cup winner with Ulster, proved something of a nemesis for his old team-mates contributing 23 points for Benetton Treviso against Ulster in Italy. The visitors still managed to prevail.

Darragh O'Mahony crossed for one of Saracens tries in their 34-14 victory over Bordeaux-Begles at Vicarage Road. Shaun Payne played in the centre for Swansea in their Cup victory over Edinburgh while Kevin Maggs featured in Bath's superb away win over Biarritz. Guy and Simon Easterby had a tough time with Llanelli as the Welsh side went down narrowly 12-9 to Leicester.