MIX AND MISMATCHES

THERE were three wins and a loss for the Irish provinces in Europe at the weekend, Leinster and Munster posting Champions Cup successes, Connacht and Ulster suffering contrasting Challenge Cup fortunes.

- DEREK FOLEY

Just as there were contrasting views of those results in their own rights, not least at Welford Road where Leo Cullen faced hostile questioning about the quality of his side’s win - much to his surprise too.

Both Clayton McMillan and Stuart Lancaster, in Cork and Galway respectively and on the back of reasonably comfortable wins against second string opposition, pointed to the pluses of some fine performances from wider squad members.

There were namechecks for Munster's Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhan Quinn and Conor Bartley, Connacht's Sam Gilbert, Billy Bohan even if it was the Westerners' skipper Paul Boyle who contributed a hat-trick.

For his part, Ulster's Richie Murphy was left fuming about a late penalty that saw his side lose in Cardiff, fuelling further anger over a contentious try earlier, their second, for the home side.

“We're not where we want to be,” admitted Cullen,” but the lads stuck at it. Leicester were in the final of the Premiership last year, they're a tough team.