Scrum of the Earth /

The launch of Apollo Heineken Cup 2008/9 rocketed out of orbit on Friday night with the galaxy of superstars dressed in red finding their opening journey into Europe anything but a smooth ride.


Well that wasn't what I envisaged...

Jammy feckers! Ronan O'Gara's savings account is clocking up a healthy sum of bonuses...

It could've been a disastrous start to their defence - Thomond Park breathed a huge sigh of relief?

Wayne Barnes' strict adjudication of the breakdown laws itched away under Munster's skin but the 77th minute penalty offering meant the 26,000 fans could pull the blinkers away from their eyes.

Montauban kicker Petre Mitu missed three pot-shots at goal no?

It was a cruel first examination for the man-of-the-match. He worked his hustling and bustling back-row into the ground, preventing Munster from bossing the breakdown and building a platform.

So were Munster just awful?

They were also guilty of trying to play too much rugby - a recurring factor since the introduction of these muddled ELVs...

And Perpignan needed a bit of Dan Carter magic?

It was pretty uninspiring stuff. How much they will rue the missed home sundries only time will tell but Leicester and the Ospreys will expect to pick up maximum offerings both home and away.

The feisty Italians were guilty of ill-discipline...

Two yellow-cards - one in each half - handed the Catalans the initiative, especially in the first-half, which for most parts Treviso had led.

And an 80m try I hear?

Jérôme Porical and Chris Cusiter combined for a moment of rare excitement but the Treviso defence was outstanding to deny the hosts a fourth try.