Garvey and Todd keep the Shed fires burning

Gloucester moved up to third place in the Zurich Premiership table with an emphatic 24-3 demolition of Leicester at Kingsholm yesterday.

Marcel Garvey and Robert Todd scored the Cherry and Whites' tries as they recorded their 33rd successive home victory. Henry Paul finished the match with a 14-point haul after missing just one of his six shots at goal. All Leicester could muster in reply was a Tim Stimpson penalty as their pack were comprehensively out-muscled.

London Irish ambushed Northampton in a 30-24 thriller at Franklin's Gardens to claim their first away win of the campaign. Mark Mapletoft, with a try, two penalties and three conversions, gave a virtuoso display for the Exiles, whose other touchdowns came from Paul Sackey and Justin Bishop. Barry Everitt completed the scoring with a late penalty. Shane Drahm, with a try, four penalties and a conversion, shone for Saints.

Simon Halford, who was signed by Leeds from London Irish last summer, makes his debut at prop against Saracens today while Tim Walsh replaces Matt Cardey at full-back. Saracens have named Mark Bartholomuesz at centre, in place of Kevin Sorrell who is out for three months with a groin injury.

Gavin Henson kicked Neath-Swansea Ospreys to a 32-22 Celtic League victory over the injury-ravaged Celtic Warriors at Bridgend. The 21-year-old fly-half landed six penalties and converted two tries by wing Gareth Morris. Neil Jenkins replied with 17 points for the Warriors and Richard Bryan ran in a late try.

Connacht, Celtic Cup conquerors of Llanelli last weekend, continued their fine form with a 42-19 win over Borders in Galway. Paul Neville twice breached the Scots' defence and Matt Mostyn, Tom Carter and Andrew Farley also went over. Kevin Utterson, Andy Rennick and Gareth Morton replied in kind for Borders.