Heineken Cup: Swansea lead by six at break

Swansea 12 Edinburgh 6

Swansea launched their Heineken Cup campaign with a disjointed first-half display at St Helens that provided poor entertainment.

Edinburgh went into the Pool Three clash without their former Northampton flanker Don Mackinnon, who suffered a recurrence of knee trouble during training this week.

Andrew Dall deputised, joining his brother Graham in the back row alongside Lion Simon Taylor.

Swansea were boosted by fly-half Gavin Henson’s recovery from a hip injury suffered when making his full Wales debut in the 81-9 rout of Romania 10 days ago.

But it was Edinburgh who struck first, fly-half Gordon Ross kicking a 40-metre penalty after Swansea’s forwards infringed.

Henson levelled the scores through a wide-angled strike just four minutes later, yet Edinburgh looked a more creative unit, and they quickly regained the lead through another Ross penalty.

Swansea, who had lost five of their eight matches so far this season, fielded nine Welsh internationals, but were a team short on confidence.

Italian referee Giovanni Morandin awarded numerous penalties during an error-strewn opening quarter, which did little to allow either side rhythm, and a Henson drop goal on 29 minutes made it 6-6.

Swansea began piecing things together as a poor half drew to its close, wing Richard Rees and lock Tyrone Maullin both going close before Henson landed another penalty for an unconvincing three-point advantage.

The young number 10 was easily Swansea’s most accomplished performer, launching some monstrously-long kicks to touch, and his third penalty goal ensured an interval lead.

But on the evidence of a dire opening period, neither side appear remotely capable of progressing beyond the group stage this season.