Western Mail

Hands Up If You Think You Can Win the Heineken Cup

Ryan Joy at His Side's Success ; Gloucester 48 5 Calvisano

GLOUCESTER director of rugby Dean Ryan was pleased with his side's 48-5 win over Calvisano. Mark Foster and Luke Narraway scored tries in the first half and Lesley Vainikolo and Matthew Watkins scored two each after the break to seal the bonus point.

Blues Getting Back to the Land of the European Giants ; Heineken Cup

ASLEEPING giant of European rugby may just have woken from his slumber on a wet, dark and muddy Saturday afternoon in this little corner of south-west France. The Blues ground out a second victory over French giants Biarritz in the space of a week to remain unbeaten in their pool and are now on the verge of a Heineken Cup quarter-final place.

Our Double Over Biarritz has Proved the Critics Wrong ; Blues' View Paul Tito

PAUL TITO believes the Blues have proved a point with back-to- back victories over Biarritz after being written off as Heineken Cup no-hopers at the start of the campaign. The Blues skipper led his side in typical fashion as they became only the third team to beat the 2006 finalists at their Parc des Sports Aguilera fortress in European rugby's premier tournament.

Scarlets Must Be Smart Headly

NIGEL DAVIES has told his Scarlets troops to "get smart" ahead of the busy Christmas derby programme. After ending their Heineken Cup losing streak on Friday night - even if Ulster held them to a 16-16 draw at Parc y Scarlets - Davies' side face a tough festive programme.

Dan Puts Hit Boot Into the Tigers ; Perpignan 26 20 Leicester

DAN CARTER kicked 16 points to steer Perpignan to Heineken Cup victory over Leicester at Stade Aime Giral. The All Black fly-half succeeded with six kicks from eight attempts, including converting both of Perpignan's tries, to inflict a first European defeat of the campaign on the visitors.

Hibbard has Thrown His Hat Into Six Nations Ring ; Heineken Cup

IF Richard Hibbard could improve his accuracy throwing the ball into the line then the Ospreys and Wales would have a polished gem on their hands. The hooker, along with Jonathan Thomas, was a massive presence as the Ospreys continued their assault on the Heineken Cup.

Holley Ready for Challenge As Big Race Hots Up ; Ospreys' View Sean Holley

SEAN HOLLEY pledged the Ospreys are determined to join the Blues in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. Unbeaten Blues have virtually booked a place with two fixtures left and should seal their last-eight passage next month when they welcome Italian minnows Calvisano to the Arms Park.

O'connell Feared a Cup Exit ; Munster 23 13 Clemont

PAUL O'CONNELL claims Saturday's clash with Clermont Auvergne was the closest he has felt to exiting the Heineken Cup in the pool stages since he first broke into the Munster side. The European champions left it very late to snatch a 23-13 victory from under the noses of the French team, scoring two tries in a four-minute spell to send the Top 14 club home without the consolation of a bonus point.

Mitu Puts Boot Into the Sharks ; Montauban 16 12 Sale Sharks

A LATE penalty from Petre Mitu saw Sale Sharks become the first victims of Montauban in the Heineken Cup. The replacement struck a 77th-minute penalty to settle this tie at Stade de Sapiac in favour of the tournament newcomers.

Banahan Ruins the Day for Glasgow ; Glasgow 19 25 Bath

MATTBANAHAN inflicted another dose of Heineken Cup heartbreak on gutsy Glasgow with a try double at Firhill. The winger broke through in each half to keep alive his side's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of the competition.

Dragons Are Heading in the Right Direction Despite Exit ; Heineken Cup

IN truth, the Dragons were never going to win this season's Heineken Cup and they were never really going to make it out of their group. So what can they take from their European experience now that their hopes of reaching the knockout stages are over for another season?

Now Turner Targets Festive Derby Success ; Dragons' View Paul Turner

DRAGONS coach Paul Turner is targeting back-to-back home wins over Wales' big two as he turns his attention to the festive derbies. The Gwent region play host to the star-studded Ospreys on Friday night, with European heroes the Cardiff Blues visiting Rodney Parade on Boxing Day.

Deadly Walder Boosts Wasps ; London Wasps 19 11 Edinburgh

FLY-HALF Dave Walder produced another man-of-the match performance as Wasps strengthened their chances of reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with victory over Edinburgh. Walder scored all of Wasps' points with a try and faultless kicking display to set up a pivotal showdown with Pool 2 leaders Leinster at Twickenham on January 17.

Pooler Must Learn Their Lesson or Face the Drop ; Principality Welsh Premiership We're the Official Newspaper, in Association with Principality Building Society Premiership

Pontypool 18 Tries: N Preece, N Coughlin

Llanelli's Hopes Are Hit by the Weather As Game Off ; Principality Welsh Premiership We're the Official Newspaper, in Association with Principality Building Society Premiership

LLANELLI'S bid to go clear at the top of the Principality Premiership suffered a setback when their clash with Glamorgan Wanderers was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Memorial Ground, writes Richard Thomas. The game was called off by referee Gwyn Morris 75 minutes before kick-off.

Ring Just Fails to Mastermind Fightback On Return to Arms ; Principality Welsh Premiership We're the Official Newspaper, in Association with Principality Building Society Premiership

Cardiff 22 Tries: R Shellard, G Horrigan

Breeze Helps to Blow Away the All Whites ; Principality Welsh Premiership We're the Official Newspaper, in Association with Principality Building Society Premiership

Aberavon 29 Tries: R Carter, R Thomas, C Davies, R Gallagher

It's Ravens Revival ; Principality Welsh Premiership We're the Official Newspaper, in Association with Principality Building Society Premiership

Bridgend 13 Try: P Morgan

Law Praise for His Side ; Principality Welsh Premiership We're the Official Newspaper, in Association with Principality Building Society Premiership

Bedwas 8 Try: J Pizey