Leinster a prized scalp for Scarlets coach Easterby

There are four Irish coaches responsible for the fortunes of non-Irish teams in this season’s Heineken Cup and, by a quirk of fate, three of them will be plotting the downfall of Irish teams in round two this weekend.

Michael Bradley will take his shellshocked Edinburgh side to Thomond Park after their 45-0 demolition at home to Saracens while Conor O’Shea will hope his Harlequins side can avenge last year’s surprise loss at Connacht’s Sportsground.

Last but by no means least on that list is Simon Easterby, whose young Scarlets squad welcome Leinster to west Wales, which leaves Mark McCall the odd man out as his Saracens side will be in Paris to face Racing Metro 92.