Leeds Carnegie were on schedule for a European Challenge Cup quarter-final after a hard-fought 23-20 win in Dax. Victories in the home and away games against Calvisano will give coach Daryl Powell’s team a spot in the last eight.

Fly-half Alberto di Bernardo landed five goals in a polished performance, with tries by Fosi Palaamo and Lee Blackett in either half crucial.

Connacht made their highest score in Europe as they cantered past Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador 75-8.

Winger Ofisa Treviranus and centre Danny Riordan both bagged two tries inside the hour and Riordan’s third in the dying minutes took the home side past the 70-point mark.