RUGBY WRAP: SA franchises continue URC dominance; Sarries put Tigers to the sword and Toulouse win at Montpellier

URC R3: Another straight sweep for local teams

South Africa’s URC franchises maintained their incredible run against overseas teams after again winning all four of their matches against European opposition on the weekend. Following their come-from-behind 20-19 win over Dragons at Rodney Parade, the Sharks were the only SA team not to claim a full house of five-log points. The Bulls beat Connacht 28-14 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, while Saturday saw the Lions score a great 31-18 win in Cardiff and the Stormers thwart Edinburgh aside 34-18 in the Cape.

Leinster’s 20-13 win over Ulster in Belfast on Friday was massive in the context of the competition and suggests that the psychological advantage they hold over fellow Irish sides remains intact. In other results, Ospreys bagged a first win thanks to a 32-17 result over Glasgow in Swansea, Zebre fell 5-21 to Munster at Thomond Park and Benetton won their second game this season in a 34-23 defeat of Scarlets in Treviso.

Prem R4: Defending champions embarrassed in London

Leicester Tigers were humbled 18-51 by Saracens at the StoneX on Saturday as Mark McCall’s men picked up their third bonus-point win in succession. In a rematch of last season’s Grand Final, the visitors were totally bossed by the three-time European champions and never truly threatened to come away with a win. Having opened their campaign with two losses from four already, Tigers will need to pull themselves toward themselves quick fast to get their season back on track. In more bad news for Steve Borthwick (and Jacques Nienaber), Handre Pollard lasted just 27-minutes off the bench before being pulled off with what looked like a recurrence of his knee injury.

Elsewhere, Falcons dealt the Bears their first L in a 30-15 result at Kingston Park, Sale beat Exeter 28-20 at the AJ Bell, Bath’s losing run continued in a 38-47 defeat at London Irish and Quins held off Saints 35-29 at The Stoop.

Top 14 R6: Toulouse top after impressive win at Montpellier

Toulouse lead the way in the Top 14 after a 19-17 win over defending champs Montpellier at the GGL Stadium on Sunday. Melvyn Jaminet slotted five kicks from five to see Ugo Mola’s side hold a one-point advantage at the summit of the standings over European champions La Rochelle, who outfought Racing 92 24-19 at the Marcel Deflandre. Despite the absences of Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos, Toulouse’s valuable away win means they keep setting the pace.

In other results, Bordeaux beat Stade Francais 15-10 at the Chaban-Delmas, Toulon won 34-17 at Pau, Brive pipped Bayonee 25-22 at home, Clermont were too good for Lyon at the Stade Michelin, claiming a 43-20 victory and Perpignan saw off 14-10 at the Stade Aimé Giral.