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Your support makes all the difference.Heineken Cup favourites Munster ground out a 31-20 victory in Treviso yesterday, complete with a precious bonus point, to boost their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals. But the Irish side struggled throughout the first half at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo - they led only 12-10 at the break - before moving up a gear and pulling clear of their brave yet outgunned Italian opponents.
Mike Mullins, James Blaney, Jim Will-iams, Anthony Foley (marking his 57th appearance in Europe's premier club competition with a man-of-the-match display) and Jeremy Staunton claimed Munster's five tries while Ronan O'Gara supplied three conversions. For Treviso, Walter Pozzebon and Scott Palmer went over, Franco Smith landed a drop goal and Simon Mason kicked their other points.
Munster's coach, Alan Gaffney, said: "We came here knowing that beating Treviso on their home patch would be difficult. People think it's just words for the press when we say we're worried about an Italian side, but there were a lot of worried people at half-time. We were looking very ordinary, but we managed to put together some good rugby in the second half. Anthony Foley was very strong - he carried a lot of ball and made a lot tackles."
Leeds entertain the holders, Toulouse, this afternoon knowing they have no chance of progressing from Pool Two to the knock-out stages. Dan Scarbrough and Liam Botham have been named on the wings while Phil Christophers reverts to centre and Scotland cap Gordon Ross is restored at fly-half. Up front, Gary Powell replaces Matt Holt at prop, Stuart Hooper comes in at lock after missing three weeks through injury, and Aaron Persico and Colm Rigney return to the back row.
Sale must win their remaining two Pool Three matches - today's home encounter with Biarritz and next Saturday's visit to Cardiff Blues - to have any chance of booking a quarter-final place. But their task is complicated by injuries to fly-half Charlie Hodgson (knee) and wing Mark Cueto (broken hand), while centre Dan Harris's comeback hopes have been dashed by another shoulder injury. Braam van Straaten comes in at centre and Jos Baxendell replaces Hodgson.
Wasps' director of rugby, Warren Gatland, is resting several of his key players for what should be a routine victory over Pool Six whipping boys Calvisano at Wycombe. Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey, Rob Howley, Craig Dowd, Simon Shaw and Phil Greening all sit it out.
Saracens' coach, Rod Kafer, has recalled Taine Randell and Raphael Ibañez for today's daunting Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final first leg at Montferrand while centre Kevin Sorrell also returns.
Rotherham have an excellent chance of reaching the Parker Pen Shield semi-finals despite losing 32-30 away to Viadana yesterday. The Titans, who take on Viadana again at Millmoor next Saturday, ran in four tries in the final 20 minutes and almost overturned a 32-6 deficit.
Worcester extended their lead in National League One to 11 points after thrashing Bedford 43-5 while second-placed Orrell lost 22-19 at Plymouth Albion.
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