Barton the hero as Gloucester edge pulsating encounter

Gloucester earned a memorable 38-34 win over Ulster courtesy of an 85th minute try from George Barton, in what would turn out to be their only European victory of the season.

Gloucester were far more effective than in their disappointing defeat to Lyon in Round 1, with Louis Ress-Zammit and Mark Atkinson crossing, but tries from Ulster’s Billy Burns, John Cooney and Michael Lowry set up the grandstand finale.

The game also saw three penalty tries awarded and four yellow cards, as the momentum swung back and forth between two sides battling to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage alive.

But it was Barton’s score in overtime that ultimately decided the outcome, as Gloucester utilised an overlap to send the youngster over in the corner.

Munster produce sensational comeback to beat Clermont

Munster Rugby overturned a 19-point deficit to beat ASM Clermont Auvergne 39-31 in a breath-taking comeback victory at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Clermont had built a healthy lead midway through the first half, as Alivereti Raka, Damian Penaud and Etienne Fourcade all crossed the whitewash in addition to a penalty try.

Three penalties from JJ Hanrahan, who tallied 24 points over the course of the game, kept Munster somewhat in the game, with Mike Haley’s score on 28 minutes then kick-starting the Irish province’s recovery.

Further penalties from the boot of Hanrahan put Munster within striking distance in the second half, before CJ Stander powered over at the back of a maul to complete the turnaround with ten minutes to go, and Kevin O’Byrne’s try in the closing moments adding the icing on the cake.

Cordero hat-trick as Bordeaux-Bègles crush Dragons

Santiago Cordero bagged a hat-trick of tries as Bordeaux-Bègles overwhelmed Dragons in a comfortable 47-8 victory at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Mahamadou Diaby opened the scoring before Cordero went over in the corner for his first try of the game on 33 minutes.

The Argentinian crossed again 15 seconds into the second half after a mix up in the Dragons defence, with Bordeaux hooker Maxime Lamont having finished off a well worked lineout in added time at the end of the first half.

Matthieu Jalibert then grabbed a try before setting up Cordero for his hat-trick, with Ben Lam then rounding of the scoring after Nick Tompkins had crossed for Dragons’ consolation try.

Leinster battle to win over Northampton

Four-time Heineken Champions Cup winners Leinster Rugby had to break down a stubborn Northampton Saints resistance for a 35-19 bonus point win in Dublin.

Josh Murphy gave the hosts the ideal start as he bundled over for the opening try after good work from Garry Ringrose.

Leinster’s scrum proved dominant as Cian Healy profited from a turnover to add Leinster’s second try on 15 minutes, but Northampton refused to roll over as Fraser Dingwall and Tom James both went over.

Dave Kearney’s try on the stroke of half-time put Leinster back in control, before Nick Isiekwe’s charge down saw Jamison Gibson-Park go over after the break and a couple of Ross Byrne penalties ensured their victory.

Full Round 2 results:

Scarlets 28 RC Toulon 0*

Wasps 33 Montpellier 14

Glasgow Warriors 0 Lyon 28*

Leinster Rugby 35 Northampton Saints 19

La Rochelle 28 Bath Rugby 0*

Gloucester Rugby 38 Ulster Rugby 34

ASM Clermont Auvergne 31 Munster Rugby 39

Bordeaux-Bègles 47 Dragons 8

Sale Sharks 15 Edinburgh Rugby 16

Toulouse 28 Exeter Chiefs 0*

Harlequins 7 Racing 92 49

Connacht Rugby 18 Bristol Bears 27

*Cancelled games

We continue our recap of what was a compelling Heineken Champions Cup competition with Round 2 next on the agenda, which featured a stunning Gloucester Rugby victory over Ulster Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium.