MAKE-OR-BREAK TIME - ALREADY

With the Autumn Test Series drawing to a close next weekend, all eyes will then be back on the back-to-back matches in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Heineken Cup.

And while Stade Français Paris are setting a scorching pace in the chase for quarter-final qualification, it is the moment of truth for Rugby Calvisano, Bourgoin, Glasgow Rugby, Llanelli Scarlets, Neath-Swansea Ospreys, Edinburgh Rugby and Cardiff Blues as they try to halt their losing tournament runs.

At the top end of the Pools Stade Français Paris are one of just seven sides to have won both their opening Pool matches - and David Auradou's side have picked up a try bonus point in each of their

Pool 6 matches, against Gloucester and Cardiff Blues, for good measure.

Defending Heineken Cup champions London Wasps (Pool 1), Leinster (Pool 2), Toulouse and Northampton Saints (both Pool 3), Munster (Pool 4) and Newcastle Falcons (Pool 5) are the others with two from two.

And the tournament records continue to crash.

The 99,416 who went through the turnstiles represents a new high for Round 2 matches - topping last season's 96,285 - with Gloucester (12,467), Neath-Swansea Ospreys (10,280) and Newcastle Falcons (6,708) all enjoying record Heineken Cup attendances at Kingsholm, The Gnoll and Kingston Park respectively.

Helped by the presence of so many Munstermen, the old Ospreys mark for a Heineken Cup fixture - 4,378 against Toulouse in 2003 / 2004 - was smashed out of sight, as was the record for when Neath operated as a club, the 6,835 who turned up and witnessed the 16-16 draw against Leicester in 2002 / 2003.

Back on the pitch Munster's international fly half Ronan O'Gara closed in on Diego Dominguez's points record with 15 for his side in their battling away win over the Neath-Swansea Ospreys. He is now just 17 short of claiming top spot.

And the two tries scored by Dafydd James for NEC Harlequins edged him into second place in the try list behind Michel Marfaing, the former Toulouse player who scored 24 times in the tournament. James has now scored 22 tries in the race to become the first to reach the magical 25-try mark and an ERC Elite Award and is now playing for his fifth Heineken Cup. His previous tries came with Pontypridd (9), Llanelli (8), Bridgend (2) and the Celtic Warriors (1).