Holders Leinster recorded a superb 32-7 win away to Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday, to bolster their hopes of reaching the European Cup quarter-finals.

After starting out their campaign with a loss to London Irish in Dublin, Leinster got themselves back on track with a win at Brive and Saturday they once again proved their mettle on their travels.

Shane Horgan, Isa Nacewa and Shaun Berne went over in the first period as Leinster shot out of the blocks and Sean O'Brien bagged another try for a bonus point win.

Jonathan Davies' touchdown was scant consolation for Scarlets, as Berne played a blinder at number 10 in the absence of Jonathan Sexton, notching 17 points in all as Leinster joined London Irish, 36-3 winners at Brive, on 10 points, with Scarlets two adrift.

Brive's misery was compounded by having Guillaume Ribes sent off.

Mark Gasnier's Stade Francais and Toulouse only deepened French woes, adding to the impression that French sides do not travel well as they both went down to defeats Saturday.

Stade - who have yet to reward owner Max Guazzini's multi-million euros investment with the trophy - went down 23-13 to 1999 winners Ulster, which saw them climb alongside Stade in the Pool Four standings ahead of the return fixture next weekend in Brussels.

Toulouse went down to a 15-9 reverse at the hands of Cardiff Blues, Ben Blair scoring all the Welsh side's points in what was a highly impressive performance.

Cardiff will travel to Toulouse next weekend trailing by just a point, the French side having at least taken a defensive bonus point.

"This is a victory that shows we have got back on track," said man of the match Gethin Jenkins.

"It was a massive performance from number 1 to 22 today.

"We have to back up next week as Toulouse are good on their patch. We have to recover over the next few days and be up for the match."

Coach Dai Young saluted "a massive win" for his charges.

It added up to a highly disappointing 24 hours for French sides as French champions Perpignan had gone down 24-23 to two-time European champions Munster, despite scoring three tries on Friday.

Ulster meeting Stade Francais for the 10th time in the competition gained an extra boost with their victory, as Stade failed to take a defensive bonus point.

Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys - brother of former Ulster star David - was in great form scoring 13 points and directing all of Ulster's play setting up hooker Nigel Brady for their first try while Scotland winger Simon Danielli added a second in the second-half.

Jimmy Arias' late touchdown for the French side was too little too late, though, with Noel Oelschigg missing the chance to grab a bonus point for Stade as he failed with a late penalty.

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