Perpignan are threatening to pull out of the Heineken Cup if their appeal against hooker Marius Tincu’s 18-week suspension for eye-gouging falls on deaf ears.

ENGLAND scrum-half Paul Hodgson believes London Irish have developed a taste for centre stage that is fuelling their surprise Heineken Cup assault.

LONDON IRISH director of rugby Brian Smith described Mike Catt as a “special player”, after the England veteran defied a back problem to help the Exiles to a 24-16 Heineken Cup victory over Perpignan yesterday.

ALLY HOGG claimed a hat-trick of tries as Scotland warmed up for their clash with World Cup favourites New Zealand by strolling to victory in the Pool C match with Romania at Murrayfield last night.

ITALY got their Rugby World Cup campaign back on track last night with a laboured victory over Pool C rivals Romania in Marseille.

Cardiff Blues and Jonah Lomu are facing Heineken Cup misery after Perpignan clinched a priceless victory at the Arms Park.

Leeds 21 Perpignan 20

IT will be icy cold, a 60-kilometre northerly wind that will sweep down the pitch from the Havelock Square end and there could even be a few snow showers.

Newport Gwent Dragons 11 Sale Sharks 38

Ireland play Romania in this afternoon's friendly at Thomond Park ahead of their forthcoming World Cup campaign.