A try on the stroke of half-time by Dan Hyde gave Leeds a valuable away win at London Irish. The Exiles, who had managed to derail thitherto unbeaten Sale away from home last weekend, could not follow up those heroics when pitched against the lower-flying Tykes in the comfort of their own home. Barry Everitt kicked four penalties, but that was the sum total of their scoring. For Leeds, Gordon Ross kicked the rest of their points, including a drop goal, for a 16-12 win in front of a disappointing crowd of 6,410 at the Madejski. Gary Gold, London Irish's coach, had harsh words after the game for referee Sean Davey, who he felt should have awarded the Exiles a penalty try at the death, as they applied pressure at a series of five-metre scrums on Leeds's line against a pack reduced to six by the yellow card. Gold may yet have to answer for his comments.

Munster look as though they're finding their form at precisely the right time, with the Heineken Cup about to start. They thrashed Cardiff Blues 49-18 at Thomond Park last night. Christian Cullen scored his seventh and eighth tries of the season, and Ronan O'Gara contributed 19 points. Edinburgh , meanwhile, handed coach Frank Hadden a boost ahead of Friday's Heineken Cup trip to Perpignan as they ran in five tries in a 35-24 triumph at Connacht .

Newcastle entertain Saracens at Kingston Park today. Thomas Castaignède reverts to full-back for Sarries in the absence of Dan Scarbrough, injured in their encouraging win last weekend against Northampton. Newcastle rejig at the back as well, with Dave Walder coming in at No 15 and Matt Burke moving up into midfield to cover the loss of Jamie Noon.