Welsh sides thump Irish

Wales, grateful for small mercies after another summer of torment, achieved an unprecedented weekend hat-trick of Celtic League wins over Irish provincial opposition.

Cardiff's 33-17 home success against Connacht followed the Celtic Warriors' 29-22 home victory over Leinster and Llanelli's achievement in beating Munster 19-12 at Thomond Park. The results will have encouraged the Welsh Rugby Union that the creation of five regional teams will enable them to do better when the European Cup starts in December.

The fans, though, have yet to be convinced, with attendances falling way short of the average 8,000 predicted by the WRU. Fewer than half that number turned up at the Arms Park where the Robinson brothers, Nicky and Jamie, made major contributions to Cardiff's win.

'We've been written off as the worst team in Wales,' said coach David Young. 'That's very disrespectful and we are going to prove people wrong.' The only losing Welsh team, the new-fangled Ospreys of Neath and Swansea, lost 29-19 to another merged club, the Gwent Dragons' amalgam of Newport and Ebbw Vale.

Harlequins' 33-27 home win over champions Wasps underlined the importance of their captain Andre Vos. 'He should still be captain of the Springboks,' said head coach Mark Evans. Vos, 28, quit the international stage last year after winning his last cap two seasons ago. 'I am happy at Quins,' he said. 'I've no regrets.'