Pool One: Pool One hopefuls London Irish achieved their target of a bonus point victory over Madejski Stadium visitors Treviso, winning 42-9 with scrumhalf Peter Richards capping an impressive individual display by scoring two tries.
On Friday, Perpignan began their campaign with a 23-19 victory over Newport.
Pool Two
Welsh challengers the Ospreys began Pool Two on a winning note, even though they struggled at times before seeing off Bourgoin 22-15 at the Liberty Stadium. The Ospreys head to Gloucester next Friday night, and head coach Lyn Jones said: "We will need to pick our game up by five to 10 per cent. The Heineken Cup has a knife-edge to it, and you have to learn how to control games and make sure you don't slip up."
Ulster were beaten 32-14 by Gloucester at Ravenhill on Friday.
Pool Three
Bristol's hopes of a priceless away win in Pool Three were dashed by an outstanding Cardiff fightback as the Blues prevailed 34-18 at the Arms Park yesterday. Cardiff wiped out a 13-3 deficit, racing 34-13 ahead through tries by centre Jamie Robinson, flanker Maama Molitika and his backrow colleague Martyn Williams - who touched down twice.
Fullback Ben Blair chipped in with 14 points from the boot, and Bristol could only reflect on why everything unravelled so spectacularly - despite having the last word with wing Tom Arscott's consolation score. They occupied the driving seat throughout the first half, establishing a healthy lead courtesy of fullback David Hill's try, plus two Jason Strange penalties and a conversion.
In the pool's other game, played on Saturday, Harlequins suffered a predictable defeat against favourites Stade Francais, losing 37-17 in Paris on Saturday. Stade skipper Christophe Dominici scored one of this team's four tries, enabling the French giants to take an immediate grip on the pool.
Quins rugby director Dean Richards said: "We didn't turn our possession into points, and the majority of their tries came from our turnovers, which is something we need to work on.
"But I thought we acquitted ourselves well and put some good pieces of play together. I felt the scoreline flattered them (Stade)."
Pool Four
Saracens ran in four quality tries to open their Pool Four campaign with a narrow 33-31 victory over Glasgow yesterday.
This Premiership club should have had a bigger margin of victory to show for their territorial domination.
Lock Hugh Vyvyan, right-wing Rod Penney, number eight Ben Skirving and left-wing Kameli Ratuvou scored the Saracens tries.
Outhalf Glen Jackson, who was involved in two of them, also contributed 13 points - with two conversions and three penalties.
Glasgow replied with tries from Scotland flanker John Barclay, replacement Hefin O'Hare and captain Alistair Kellock. Outhalf Dan Parks kept them in touch by landing four of his five penalty kicks and two late conversions.
Pool Four favourites Biarritz were given a fright by Viadana in Italy on Saturday, edging home 19-11 as South African recruit Ashwin Willemse scored their solitary try
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