By Jason Harris
January 7 2007

After being shut out in the previous round of the Top 14 Championship, Narbonne bounced back with a win in Round 18, while Glasgow's six match unbeaten home run came to an end and GRAN Parma again failed to win on the road. Narbonne's game against fellow strugglers Montpellier had "must win" written all over it and the men in orange duly delivered courtesy of the usual suspects; wing Julien Candelon and fly half Cedric Rosalen. Candelon crossed for a first half try and Rosalen kicked 22 points from five penalties a drop goal and the conversion of Candelon's try and that of replacement lock Ludovic Michaux. Montpellier replied with three penalties to make the final score 32-9 to Narbonne.

RCNM are now in 11th place in the table on 34 points while Montpellier slipped to the bottom on 28 following Bayonne's shock 29-27 home win over leaders Stade Francais. Round 19 takes place on 27 January and Narbonne travel to Castres who are just one place above them on points difference, while there is a huge game in Montpellier as they take on Bayonne.

In Italy, GRAN crashed back to earth after their massive home win over Capitolina, with disappointing defeat away at lowly Rovigo. Lock Martin Englebrecht was sent off by international referee Giulio de Santis after 36 minutes and so Rima Wakarua's five penalties and conversion of wing Carl Manu's try were not enough to save the day as Rovigo won 25-22. Despite the bonus point, GRAN again see themselves in sixth position, one place behind Overmach in the Super 10 table after 10 rounds. GRAN will be at home to bottom side Amatori Catania in Round 11 on 27 January.

Champions Ulster made light of losing David Humphreys as they cruised to a 19-8 win over Glasgow Warriors at Hughenden. Three tries for the Irish side from Neil Best, Rory Best and Tommy Bowe saw them home while Glasgow's points came from an Andy Newman second half try and a Dan Parks penalty. This defeat for the Warriors meant that their six match unbeaten run at Hughenden came to an end and their failure to take a losing bonus points sees them remain in 9th place in the Magners League on 23 points from their 12 games played.

Cardiff Blues will be the next visitors to Hughenden on 26 January.