Conor O'Shea's positive reaction to his removal from the international arena could not have been more pronounced. Deemed guilty of a series of poor displays in the senior national side, the former Lansdowne full back responded with two tries for London Irish in their "away" fixture against Harlequins at the Stoop. O'Shea scored the first and last of his side's tries, in their triumph including an 80 metre gallop. Kieron Campbell continued his tenure on the wing, hardly ideal given his role for the Ireland Under 21s at scrum-half while Kieron Dawson enjoyed an influential game at open-side. Justin Bishop did not play.

Bath centre Kevin Maggs maintained his try-scoring habits with another in the victory over Bedford. Guy Easterby, newly elevated to the Ireland senior squad alongside brother Simon, had an outstanding game for Ebbw Vale in their victory over Newport. Guy was preferred to new Welsh cap Richard Smith in the pivotal role. There was a little consolation for Ireland's two Saracens, Darragh O'Mahony and Paul Wallace who both scored tries, albeit in a 41-17 thumping by Wasps at Loftus Road.