Former Ireland Under-21 international Geordan Murphy made an immediate impact as a second-half substitute in Leicester's 13-3 victory over Bath at the Recreation Ground. Murphy profited from a break by Austin Healy to score his team's only try, racing 30 metres to touch down.

Bath included international centre Kevin Maggs, who continues to play on the left wing for the club, and loose-head prop Clement Boyd, now a regular feature in the front row.

Conor O'Shea crossed for a try in London Irish's 40-15 defeat away to Gloucester. It is ironic that with Maggs playing on the wing for Bath, Ireland's first choice right wing, Justin Bishop,is playing in the centre for Irish. Under-21 international Kieron Campbell came on as scrum-half after the interval and Kieron Dawson filled the open-side role. Former Ireland scrum-half Christian Saverimutto was influential in Sale's 22-3 victory over Bedford. Ross Nesdale could do little to prevent Newcastle losing 37-5 to Northampton.