RUGBY WRAP: Full house of SA wins in URC, Leinster outclass Munster and the latest Prem action

Four wins out of four for Saffa franchises

There were wins for all four of the South African sides in the United Rugby Championship this weekend as the top three in the SA Shield continue to stake a claim for passage into the playoffs. On Friday, the Sharks put on a much-improved showing to wallop Dragons 51-3 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Following their loss to Edinburgh the week before — the first time a European team had claimed victory on SA soil in the competition — Sean Everitt’s charges looked hungry and duly put on a great display to record six tries (including two penalty tries) in all.

On Saturday, the Bulls outlasted Ulster 34-16 at Loftus Versfeld, thanks in large part to a big second half. The Stormers saw off the Ospreys 29-13 in Cape Town while the Lions did well to beat Edinburgh 15-9 at Emirates Airlines Park. The wins mean the Stormers (sixth), Bulls (seventh) and Sharks (eighth) retain their places on the standings with just a point separating each team from the other. The Lions are in 12th.

Leinster lay down title credentials

If it wasn’t already obvious who the big dogs in the URC are, we got a bloody good reminder when all-conquering Leinster beat Munster 34-19 at Thomond Park. The four-time defending champions didn’t have it easy, and they had to dig deep, but a commanding second-forty and some ferocious defence proved too much for the hosts. Leo Cullen’s men are now 10-points clear at the top, with Munster dropping a place to occupy fourth after Glasgow’s 40-12 win over Zebre at the Scotstoun on Friday.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Connacht bounced back from their hiding from Leinster to claim a 21-17 win over Benetton at the Stadio Comunale and Scarlets took care of Cardiff 35-20 in Llanelli.

Sarries see off Sale, Wasps upset Gloucester

Saracens closed the gap between themselves and table-toppers Leicester to eight points with an 18-12 win at the AJ Bell over Sale. With both sides boasting all-star lineups, two Ben Earl tries proved to be the difference as the hosts saw their playoff ambitions take a big knock. At the Kingsholm, seventh-placed Gloucester fell 21-27 to Wasps (ninth) after the visitors came back from 6-0 down to deal the Cherry and Whites a big setback too.

In other results on Saturday, Newcastle (11th) thumped Worcester (12th) 45-20 at the Sixways, firth-placed Saints brushed Bristol (10th) aside 39-22 at Franklin’s Gardens and fourth-placed Chiefs smacked bottom-dwellers Bath 42-22. Sunday saw third-placed Harlequins klap London Irish (eighth) 41-14 at the Brentford Community Stadium.