WHILE both Leinster and Ulster could afford to sit back and savour early quarter-final qualification in the Heineken Cup, their last eight opponents were not confirmed until the final whistle blew yesterday at Adams Park, where Wasps were entertaining champions Toulouse. What a sting in the tail that proved to be.

Wasps 21 Toulouse 16

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.

Wasps 37 Newport Gwent Dragons 10

Newport Gwent Dragons 16 Wasps 23

Ireland faced the weakest of this autumn’s opposition hoping to end their four-Test losing streak by toppling Samoa at Aviva Stadium.

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 head coach Tony Hanks was proud of his players after the London club came close to pulling off a shock victory at the reigning Heineken Cup champions.

BRISTOL secured their third win of the season against Harlequins at the Memorial Stadium yesterday to keep the pressure on Cardiff Blues at the top of Heineken Cup Pool Three.

DAVID HILL kicked Bristol to the most notable win in their Heineken Cup history as tournament favourites Stade Francais suffered a surprise Pool Three defeat.

SAMOA ended their disappointing World Cup campaign on a high note as three first-half tries did for the United States in an entertaining Pool A dead-rubber in rainy St Etienne.

MARTIN CORRY has predicted “direct and physical” early exchanges when England and Samoa fight for their World Cup lives in Nantes this afternoon (3pm, Setanta Sports, ITV).

SAMOA coach Michael Jones was angry that his side were out-fought by Pacific Island rivals Tonga in their 19-15 defeat in Montpellier.

SPRINGBOK coach Jake White has dismissed any prospect of complacency creeping into the South African camp as they prepare for a World Cup showdown with England.

London Irish 11 Bristol 23

Bristol 36 Northampton 28