At last, a contest this round of Champions Cup rugby so badly needed. After the capitulations witnessed in some of the other Rd 5 games, it was so refreshing to see Glasgow and Munster give absolutely everything in an effort to secure a win and a coveted quarter final slot.

The level of conversation between players after matches is minimal at the best of times and even less so in these December double dates, but a snippet of information picked up by Connacht after Sunday’s 32-17 loss to Wasps has been thrown about the changing room in the Sportsground quite a bit this week.

England are set to spring a selection surprise for Saturday’s autumn opener against South Africa by naming Elliot Daly at outside centre in place of Jonathan Joseph.

Champions Cup

Wasps produced a statement bonus-point win in the European Champions Cup to stun reigning three-time winners Toulon 32-6 at the Ricoh Arena. 

The IRFU is to provide clubs with up to €400 in grant aid to encourage them travel to the Aviva Stadium for the World Cup warm-ups with Scotland and Wales in August.

The abiding memory from Cardiff last weekend was of Ireland hammering at the red brick wall thrown up in heroic fashion by Wales and barely making a dent.

An Irishman is the driving force behind the rebirth of one of English rugby’s great clubs, says Julian Bennetts.

Leinster’s game has started to gel, and at just the right time, in recent weeks but mixed messages continue to emanate from their UCD HQ over the availability or otherwise of Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien.

Since rescuing Wasps from the knacker’s yard 18 months ago, Derek Richardson has sent them to Coventry and increased support from 5,000 to almost 30,000 virtually overnight

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young is celebrating the capture of Leinster fly-half Jimmy Gopperth for next season, believing the English side will be getting one of the best kickers in Europe.

Wasps have announced the signing of Leinster fly-half Jimmy Gopperth.

Leinster came through a tough first examination in the Champions Cup as they edged out Wasps 25-20 at the RDS Arena.

It’s been so long since Wasps carried a truly venomous sting in their tail it seems slightly surreal to recall the soon-to-be Coventry club remain the last English winners of European rugby’s biggest prize.

Italy’s Sergio Parisse will captain the Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong this Saturday.

Eoin Reddan believes Ulster have not been afforded the respect they deserve this season and warned the Heineken Cup final in Twickenham will not be the procession many predict for Leinster.

England’s interim head coach Stuart Lancaster will name at least eight uncapped players in his 22-man squad to face Scotland in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown.

WALES international Nicky Robinson contributed 17 points to help London Wasps claim a valuable 25-11 home win over Bayonne in the Amlin Challenge Cup last night.

COURTNEY Lawes believes Northampton Saints are finally up and running after a slow start to the new season and have the momentum to continue their winning ways in their Heineken Cup opener against Munster in Limerick on Saturday evening.

Wasps today confirmed that long-serving head coach Shaun Edwards has left the club paving the way for a potential role with England.

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury, the RFU announced last night.

A NEW-look Musgrave Park will stage tonight’s glamour pre-season friendly between Munster and London Wasps (7pm).

Andy Powell’s Wasps future remains uncertain as the Aviva Premiership club continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a London pub brawl that involved their Wales international.

Nick Evans was hailed as “a genuine world class player” after his 22-point haul guided Harlequins to victory over Wasps and into the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals.

WASPS coach Tony Hanks was left “supremely disappointed” after watching his side turned in a poor performance in the 20-10 Heineken Cup defeat in Glasgow.

Ospreys coach Sean Holley has billed tomorrow’s Heineken Cup clash against struggling London Irish as a season-defining game.

LONDON IRISH boss Toby Booth struggled to mask his frustration after Bath’s late show at the Madejski Stadium consigned the Exiles to a ninth successive defeat.

GAVIN HENSON made his comeback yesterday after a 21-month absence as Saracens ended Wasps’ unbeaten run to move second in the Aviva Premiership.

Wasps 37 Newport Gwent Dragons 10

Joe Simpson has signed a new three-year contract with Wasps that will keep at Adams Park until 2014.

Newport Gwent Dragons 16 Wasps 23

Leicester centre Anthony Allen has been called into the England squad ahead of Saturday’s game against Samoa.

Wales suffered a double injury blow ahead of today’s Millennium Stadium clash against world champions South Africa.

Jonny Wilkinson has handed England an injury scare on the first day of their pre-autumn international training camp.

TONY HANKS was beaming after Wasps completed their first Heineken Cup win in Pool Six with a bonus-point 38-26 victory over Glasgow.

Wasps 38 Glasgow 26

Wasps 15 Cardiff Blues 18

ENGLAND centre Riki Flutey has agreed a three-year deal to rejoin his former club Wasps.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley is delighted his side – remarkably now the only unbeaten team in Europe – have their fate in their own hands as they conclude their Amlin Challenge Cup pool in Spain today.