GLOUCESTER romped to an emphatic 60-7 victory over Agen but it was not enough to keep their Amlin Challenge Cup hopes alive.

IT WAS a throwback to the old days when Munster bullied the opposition up front. At Musgrave Park last night, this was a pretty awesome performance from the twice Heineken Cup-winning club, who found strength in areas their critics would not have believed impossible a couple of months ago.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont was reluctant to talk up comeback king Mathieu Bastareaud ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming trip to Paris, despite the Stade Francais man announcing his return to the international stage with a brace of tries yesterday.

ALEX GROVE insists Scotland can now “beat anyone in the world” after helping them end their 27-year losing streak to Australia in just his second Test. Worcester centre Grove, who does not turn 22 until a week today, has enjoyed a dream start to international rugby, with two wins from two matches.

CARDIFF BLUES won a seven-try Heineken Cup thriller at the Millennium Stadium to take charge of their qualifying group.

SCOTLAND coach Frank Hadden insists his side’s schedule in Pool C of the World Cup forced him to field a weakened team against tournament favourites New Zealand at Murrayfield yesterday.

TOMÁS O'LEARY has been ruled out of the Munster team for tonight's Celtic League clash with Edinburgh Gunners at Thomond Park.

SHANNON pair Stephen Keogh and Ian Dowling are poised to come into Munster’s starting line-up for tomorrow night’s Celtic League clash with Edinburgh Gunners at Murrayfield (7.30, Setanta Sports).

Connacht 25 Edinburgh 26