Heineken Cup quarter-finalists make impression on Six Nations

A Wales team with thirteen Ospreys in their starting line-up recorded a first win for the Welsh in Twickenham for 20 years on Saturday. England suffered a host of injuries in the home defeat with Gloucester centre Mike Tindall among the casualties. The 29 year old, who featured in all of Gloucester's Pool 2 Heineken Cup matches this season, is now unlikely to play again in the Six Nations having suffered bruising to his liver. The 2006 European Challenge Cup winner also faces a race against time to be fit for the crunch Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster on Saturday, 5 April.

On a more positive note for Gloucester fans, flying wing Lesley Vainikolo came off the bench to assist Tobby Flood in scoring England's only try of the game.

In Dublin, the opening game of the Six Nations, saw Ireland overcome Italy with 16 points to 11 at Croke Park with Munster out half Ronan O'Gara kicking 11 of Ireland's. O'Gara is the third highest points scorer in Six Nations history but leads the way in the Heineken Cup having amassed 924 points for Munster.

The final game of the first Round saw a new look France travel to Murryfield where Toulouse winger Vincent Clerc was selected as Man of the Match after scoring two tries against Scotland on Sunday.
Clerc , who has already scored twenty five tries in the Heineken Cup, helped make France the new favourites for this season's championship.