Wingers Chris Ashton and David Strettle propelled Saracens to a 30-23 bonus point victory over Clermont in their Champions Cup grudge match at Allianz Park.

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe is convinced the full house at the refurbished Ravenhill will have a key role to play in Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.

Saracens 64 Connacht 6

HEINEKEN CUP POOL THREE:

Connacht 17 Saracens 23

Munster will go into their Heineken Cup pool game at Saracens tomorrow (3pm) having been told they are masters of their own destiny by head coach Rob Penney.

Over the next two weekends, Rob Penney is about to learn just how much progress has been made since he began his revolution of the Munster rugby philosophy five months ago.

Off the field business has provided another unwelcome diversion from Munster’s crucial RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park tonight, with news of a second loan move by Peter Stringer fromSaracens to Newcastle Falcons.

Munster have announced that Peter Stringer is to go to Guinness Premiership side Newcastle Falcons until the end of the season.

Biarritz 15 Saracens 10

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens at the RDS, kick-off 1.30pm.

Racing Metro 14 Saracens 19

Connacht 5 Saracens 22, the Sportsground

BRYAN HABANA could miss South Africa’s showdown with Ireland on November 28 after being cited for allegedly kicking an opponent during the Springboks’ 20-13 test defeat to France in Toulouse.

SARACENS continued the English romp through the European Challenge Cup with a clinical 53-3 win over French side Mont de Marsan at Vicarage Road yesterday.

ALAN GAFFNEY believes so strongly that Munster are now a “better balanced” side than when he left the province three years ago, that he plans to have a little wager on them to beat Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final on May 24th.

Munster boss Declan Kidney claimed his team had "got out of jail" after booking their fourth Heineken Cup final appearance in nine seasons.

Alan Gaffney has urged Saracens to seize their moment in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final showdown against Munster.

RICHARD HILL limped up the steps and into the Vicarage Road press room some distance behind his team-mates in order to speak to the media.

Saracens 19 Ospreys 10

Glasgow Warriors 17 Saracens 21

Newcastle head coach John Fletcher believes yesterday’s thrilling 22-19 triumph at Saracens showed Jonny Wilkinson exactly why he should remain in the north-east.

South Africa’s World Cup campaign suffered a major setback today when flanker Joe van Niekerk was ruled out of the tournament.

Samoa’s World Cup adventure came to an abrupt end today as fly-half Derick Hougaard steered South Africa towards a potential quarter-final showdown with New Zealand.

SOUTH AFRICA, whose World Cup hopes seem doomed, look certain to turn to 20-year-old Derick Hougaard at flyhalf for their remaining group matches against Georgia and Samoa.

Rudolf Straueli’s Springboks have been accused of damaging their World Cup prospects by adopting an overly physical approach to their final warm-up match.

Overshadowed by the spectre of racism in recent weeks, the Springbok rugby side will be looking to lift their spirits when they get down to business in their first warm-up match for the World Cup against provincial side Free State in Bloemfontein.

Coach Rudi Straeuli has stayed loyal to the South Africa side that started in the narrow 30-23 loss to New Zealand last Saturday for the visit of Australia this Saturday.

South Africa 23 New Zealand 30

Western Province scrumhalf Neil de Kock was the surprise inclusion in the Springbok side to play against New Zealand in the Vodacom Tri-Nations at Durban tomorrow.

South Africa have made three changes for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.

TOM TIERNEY was unveiled yesterday by the Leicester Tigers as part of a £1m transfer coup aimed at strengthening their position at the pinnacle of European rugby.