Leeds on course after narrow win at Dax

After last week's 35-18 win over Castres Olympique, coach Daryl Powell knows
victories in the home-and-away games against Italian side Rugby Calvisano will
give his team a berth in the final eight.

Powell said: "Getting a win against any team in France is fantastic, and it was
a great achievement for the whole team - we played a very good game.

"I was particularly proud of the way we closed the game down, which is something
we have only learned in the last six mnths. A good kicking game won us this
match."

Leeds Argentinian-born fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo kept his side in the match
with five goals in a polished performance, with tries to prop Fosi Palaamo and
replacement centre Lee Blackett in either half proving crucial.

Samoan international Gavin Williams kicked 10 points for the home side,
converting tries to back-rower Pierre Caillet and winger Laurent Diaz, but the
French side are virtually out of the competition after losses in their opening
two matches.

Irish province Connacht racked up their highest score in Europe as they
cantered past Cetransa El Salvador 75-8 at the Sportsground.

Connacht, who earned a bonus point in last weekend's 15-9 loss in Brive, ran in
10 tries against the out-classed Spanish side. Winger Ofisa Treviranus and
centre Danny Riordan bagged try braces inside the hour, and Riordan's third in
the dying minutes took the home side past the 70-point mark.

Spain's Test No 8, Ivan Criado, followed up his try against Newcastle last week
with another five-pointer tonight, but it was one-way traffic against a side
who had their try bonus point in the bag inside 26 minutes.