Geordan Murphy's try-scoring feats continued at the weekend as he grabbed one of Leicester's five tries in their 37-5 victory over Harlequins. His fine individual effort was overshadowed by the departure of Ireland's captain Keith Wood with a suspected rib cartilage injury. The initial prognosis was that he would be out of commission for a month, a state of affairs unlikely to inhibit his summer tour plans with the Lions.
The 'Quins team also included fellow Irish players Ryan O'Neill and Paul Burke, the latter replaced after 60 minutes by Craig Chalmers. Rob Henderson (injured) was an absentee for Wasps as they thrashed Sale 59-29. Sale's Irish players - centre Mel Deane and replacement hooker Bernard Jackman - probably wished they had missed the match too.
There was no Kevin Maggs (injured) as Bath romped to a 68-12 victory over Rotherham at Clifton Lane. Former Leinster coach Mike Ruddock experienced disappointment in the Welsh Cup semi-final the Millennium Stadium at the weekend, as his Ebbw Vale side were beaten 19-12 by Newport. Simon Mason didn't play for Stade Francais in their home defeat by Castres, nor was he introduced from the bench.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/b8579731-42ca-490f-b2ff-27eb94cbcd65.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)