So Leicester are back in the running in Pool A. The promise by the players after their defeat by Leinster at Donnybrook last week to hit back, was duly delivered by the English club with a critically important 22-17 win over French side Toulouse at Les Sept-Deniers.
That result along with Bath's narrow win over the previously unbeaten Brive means that only four teams go into next week's round of games with a 100 per cent record -English clubs Wasps, Bath and Harlequins and French side Pau.
The Leicester victory, combined with Milan's injury time winning try against Leinster, means that the Irish team's chances of making the quarter-finals are slipping, with the Tigers' prospects of advancing as the group winners firming up considerably.
Leicester now equal Toulouse on four points with the tremendous Milan pack leading their team to their first points of the competition. The Italians now sit with Leinster on equal points below the French and English sides, having won once in three matches played.
In pool B, Wasps emphasised their superiority over Ulster with a highly one-sided 56-3 win, thus denying the province their first points of the competition and consolidating their own premier spot.
In the other pool B game, Glasgow earned a much needed victory over Swansea in their quest to clinch second place. With the score poised at 23-21, Glasgow out-half Tommy Hayes hit the post with a penalty and in the following melee centre Matt McGrandles forced his way over for the critical score in their 35-21 victory. In pool C, Bath made a point at the Recreation ground with a narrow 27-25 win over their main rivals in the pool, Brive, in an even tempered and skilful match. Captain Jonathan Callard landed five penalties and a conversion for Bath to lead his side to the top of the table with an unbeaten record. Brive, with just one defeat, hold second spot with Pontypridd claiming their first points with a 16-23 win over Scottish Borders.
Harlequins' prolific point scoring in pool D continued at the expense of Cardiff, winning 28-21 at the Arms Park. The English side have now scored 121 points in three games and head the table with full points. Munster's win over Bourgoin, after a late try from winger John Lacey, means that they, along with their opponents and Cardiff are all on two points and are separated only by scoring difference. A real dog fight is developing here with Munster's home game next week against Cardiff of critical importance.
Pau's point tally is almost as impressive as Harlequins with 113 scored from three wins. Their 50-8 scalping of Caledonia keeps them firmly on top of pool E. Welsh side Llanelli, with five tries, moved into second place at Stradey Park.
