RUGBY WRAP: Stormers draw in Dublin, Pumas and Cheetahs maintain 100% Currie Cup starts, Pollard shines for Tigers and more!

URC R16: Stalemate at the RDS, Sharks disappoint at Scarlets

The Stormers became the first team in all competitions this season to prevent Leinster from winning a game when they held the Irish giants to a thrilling 22-all draw at the RDS Arena on Friday. While it must be noted that the hosts were without their internationals and the Capetonians had just welcomed theirs back, it will still be a valuable experience for the reigning champions, who remain second and in a commanding position heading into the playoffs.

In Llanelli on Saturday, a Springbok-laden Sharks outfit stuttered in a disappointing 20-32 defeat to Scarlets to drop them to eighth. The Durbanites’ Boks were clearly still not up to speed after their prolonged rest period and it showed, with the Welsh side able to capitalise and grab four-log points.

Elsewhere, Cardiff pipped Zebre 34-30 at the Stadio Lanfranchi, Ospreys beat Dragons 37-18 in Swansea, the Lions stole a 32-28 victory at Benetton, Connacht saw off Edinburgh 41-26 in Galway, Glasgow’s outstanding season continued thanks to a 38-26 win at Thomond Park over Munster and Ulster were too good for the Bulls in Belfast, winning 32-23.

Currie Cup R3: Cats continue to lead the way

Reigning champions the Pumas maintained their early season momentum thanks to a 28-13 defeat of last year’s runners-up, Griquas, in Mbombela. Meanwhile in Bloemfontein, the Free State Cheetahs comprehensively beat the Blue Bulls 32-7 though it did come at a cost with Frans Steyn seemingly picking up a pretty nasty knee injury.

In the two other games of the weekend, the Golden Lions collected their first victory in a 41-26 result over Griffons in Joburg and the Sharks dispatched of Western Province 20-7 in Durban.

Prem R19: Pollard in sparkling form for Tigers

Handre Pollard’s brilliant debut season at Welford Road continued as the 29-year-old scored 19-points alone to guide Leicester to a valuable 46-24 home win over in-form Bristol Bears on Saturday. Tigers are now just three-points off second-placed Sale Sharks with just a handful of games to go before the semi-finals.

In other results, Falcons knocked over Gloucester 17-12 at Kingston Park, full-strength Saracens delivered a world class performance to down a confident Harlequins side 36-24 at the StoneX, London Irish beat Northampton 37-22 at the Gtech and Bath shocked Chiefs 36-19 at The Rec.

SR Pacific R5: Chiefs still bossing it at the top

The Chiefs bagged their fifth win in as many matches after blocking out the Waratahs in a 24-14 win in Sydney on Friday. Clayton McMillan’s troops continue to impress in the competition and look likely to stage a first proper assault on the title in many moons.

Elsewhere in the fifth round, the Crusaders beat the Brumbies 35-17 in Christchurch, Highlanders smacked Fijian Drua 57-24 in Dunedin, Hurricanes embarrassed Moana Pasifika 59-0 at the Mount Smart Stadium, the Rebels held off the Reds 40-34 in Melbourne and the Blues outplayed the Force 30-17 at Eden Park.

Top 14 R21: Leaders Toulouse fall at Castres

11^th-placed Castres saw off leaders Toulouse 27-17 at the Pierre-Fabre on Saturday, with La Rochelle’s 36-6 win at Bordeaux closing the gap at the summit to six-points. Five-points back are Stade Francais, who were beaten 13-17 at home by Racing 92 (seventh), while fourth-placed Lyon also fell at home on the weekend, albeit in a 23-27 result to Toulon.

In other results, Pau won 30-20 at Bayonne, hosts Clermont breezed past Brive 38-10 and reigning champs Montpelier edged Perpignan 23-22 away.

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