No.8 Gavin Coombes was the hero for Munster Rugby as he notched a hat-trick in the Heineken Champions Cup contender’s 58-3 defeat of Ospreys at Thomond Park in the United Rugby Championship on Friday evening.

Coombes, who has recorded four tries already in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, crossed once in the first half and twice after the break as the Irish province controlled the game from start to finish.

Malakai Fekitoa, Antoine Frisch, Joey Carbery, Paddy Patterson, Simon Zebo and Shane Daly also crossed the whitewash for Munster who face a trip to Cell C Sharks when European competition returns with the Round of 16 in April.

Meanwhile, Ulster Rugby, who face an all-Irish clash against Leinster Rugby in the Round of 16, fell to a 17-11 defeat at the hands of Glasgow Warriors – Harry Sheridan with the lone try for the Irish province with Nathan Doak and John Cooney adding a penalty apiece.

Two sides with Heineken Champions Cup ambitions squared off in the Gallagher Premiership as Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins played out a 28-26 thriller at Kingsholm.

A fast start from the Cherry and Whites saw Seb Blake and Ollie Thornely touch down in the opening 40 minutes, with Santiago Carreras and Louis Rees-Zammit adding tries after the interval.

Tom Lawday, Cadan Murley, Sam Riley and Matas Jurevicius notched for ‘Quins in defeat. Harlequins face a trip to DHL Stormers in the Round of 16 while Gloucester travel to defending European champions Stade Rochelais.