Leicester Tigers and Clermont Auvergne were the big winners in the second round of the Heineken Cup as this wonderful tournament once again threw up a number of compelling storylines.

Clermont defied a number of seasoned observers with their eight try rout against Exeter. The French side were 12-10 down at Sandy park, with Exeter looking like they might spring yet another surprise against the notoriously shaky travellers.

Clearly roused by the dressing room comments at half time though, Clermont came out for the second half like a different side, full of purpose and attacking adventure, with Wesley Fofana in particular turning on the style.

Fofana was like a man possessed, clearly with a point to prove to the France selectors after all the publicity surrounding Toulouse centre Gael Fickou, he ran the show in the second half, with one searing break through the Exeter midfield drawing applause from both sets of fans as he inspired his side to a 46-12 win.

Leicetser meanwhile were under some pressure following their humbling in Toulouse last week, and faced a stern test in Pro 12 Champions, Ospreys, coming to Welford Road.

The Tigers were in spectacular form; with England half backs Toby Flood and Ben Youngs particularly impressing despite an opening few minutes which saw the Ospreys take a 10-0 lead.

From that point onwards though it was all about Leicester with Richard Cockerill once again opting to play without a recognised openside, despite the presence of a top class operator for the opposition in Justin Tipuric.

Unlike against Toulouse and Theirry Dusautoir though, the tactic worked this week with the power and presence of the Tigers back row putting Tipuric on the back foot, creating the platform for the likes of Youngs, Flood and Tuilagi to operate on, as they went on to win the game 39-22.

Elsewhere, Munster got their campaign back on track with a 33-0 win over Edinburgh following last week’s defeat to Racing Metro. For Edinburgh though there is a hint of a crisis now, they have failed to score a single point so far this campaign and have conceded over seventy.

Munster’s compatriots, champions Leinster, won again but as with last week, they were unconvincing in victory, struggling to a 30-13 victory over the Scarlets.

Heineken Cup Results – Round 2:

Friday 19th October:

Glasgow Warriors 8-19 Ulster

Castres 21-16 Northampton

Saturday 20th October:

Treviso 21-33 Toulouse

Scarlets 13-20 Leinster

Saracens 30-13 Racing Metro

Exeter 12-46 Clermont Auvergne

Connacht 22-30 Harlequins

Biarritz 38-17 Zebre

Sunday 21st October:

Munster 33-0 Edinburgh

Montpellier 33-18 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 39-22 Ospreys

Cardiff Blues 14-22 Toulon