Defending champions Leinster ran in seven tries in a 52-27 demolition of Bath in Dublin on Saturday to go six points clear at the top of Pool Three and move closer to a European Cup quarter-final spot.
A week after beating the English side 18-13 in Bath, the Irishmen ran rampant, making sure of a bonus point after Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald (2) and Jonathan Sexton had all scored tries.
Scrum-half Eoin Reddan, Rhys Ruddock and Ian Madigan piled on the agony for the visitors, while Bath battled to score three second-half tries through Stephen Donald, Dave Atwood and Ben Williams.
In the group’s other match, second-placed Glasgow drew 13-13 at Montpellier, with Rory Lamont, back in Scottish rugby after a spell with Toulon, scoring his team’s only try.
“We are obviously delighted to get the five points and with the tries and also some of the running lines,” said Leinster coach Joe Schmidt after Bath suffered their heaviest ever defeat in the history of the tournament.
Leicester relaunched their bid for a place in the quarter-finals with a gritty 23-19 win over French heavyweights Clermont.
The 2001 and 2002 champions, suffered their first defeat in Pool Four last week when they succumbed 30-12 in Auvergne.
However, a solid second-half defensive performance, combined with the boot of England fly-half Toby Flood, kept the Tigers on course for an 11th quarter-final appearance in 15 years of European Cup competition.
Ulster stayed top of the group after a six-try 46-20 rout of Aironi, a bonus point win that kept them two points ahead of Leicester.
Andrew Trimble, Tom Court, Craig Gilroy and replacements Robbie Diack and Adam Macklin were all on the mark for the visitors, while a first-half penalty try added to Italian misery.
Derm
Roar Guru
Premiership? Boxing Day?? What's that? :)
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
80k tipped for a premiership match on boxing day.
Derm
Roar Guru
The significant jump was helped considerably by Leinster having one of their big games at Lansdowne. 46,000 odd compared to the limits of their home stadium at the RDS 18,5000. Their marketing people have a great instinct in working out what games will sell to the rugby public. Normally an interprovincial will help, but the game against Bath in the H Cup on the return leg was the one to target, and Leinster delivered - in spades. The improvement in the Scottish sides performances has been a great boost but they need to find grounds that they can't fill. The empty ghost stands at Murrayfield are some of the most miserable to be in; and Firhill on a cold winter night ain't much improvement. Here's hoping that one of them gets through to the playoffs and give Scottish rugby a deserved boost.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Significant jump for round 4. This should be highest attended tournament thus far. Considering the times, it's a huge effort.
Derm
Roar Guru
Thanks Round 3 Total: 139,414 Average: 11,617
kovana
Guest
Hey i found those 2 attendance figures in Rd 3. Racing vs London irish - 8000 http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/RugbyFicheMatch17021.html Clermont vs Leicester - 17,688 http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/RugbyFicheMatch17024.html
Derm
Roar Guru
Attendances for first 4 rounds. Round 3 only has ten recorded attendances of the twelve matches played. Round 1 Total: 134,948 Avg: 11,245 Round 2 Total: 147,635 Average: 12,302 Round 3* Total: 113, 726 Average: 11,372 Round 4 Total: 185,626 Average: 15,468
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Kovana, you got an update on average crowd attendances?
kovana
Guest
Great match at Aviva Stadium. More than 46K in attendance. Also add to that the full houses at Thomond park and Welford road, it was a great week for HC.
Intotouch
Guest
Leinster looking awesome again. Can't wait for the knock out stages. It should be brilliant.
Mike
Guest
Sounds like a real pounding. Never underestimate the Irish...
Derm
Roar Guru
Cracking display by Leinster at Lansdowne, Geat to see Players like Luke Fitzgerald returning to some kind of form, and the new kids - McFadden and O'Malley strut their stuff with the old boys O'Driscoll and Darcy sidelined for a while. Donald was overshadowed completely by Sexton but he took his consolation try in the second half very well - strong guy who can break tackles very well - O'Malley will get a special earful from Schmidt for conceding that one, along with the other squad members for the two late ones. Good also to see the two Scottish provinces doing well - Edinburgh's win was well merited and I hope they make it through to the quarters. Full marks to Harlequins for the result of the round - going to Stade Toulousain and grabbing a victory with some style doesn't happen too often. Back to the league grindstone this week - looking forward to mid-January to renew hostilities.