# 2005–06 Heineken Cup pool stage

The 2005–06 Heineken Cup was contested by 24 teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, divided into six pools of four teams each. Each team would play the others in their pool on a home-and-away basis, with four points awarded for each win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were also awarded to teams who scored four or more tries in a match and/or lost by a margin of seven points or fewer. The team with the most points in each group at the end of the pool stage qualified directly for the knockout phase, joined by the two-second-placed teams with the most points.

## Pool 1

| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| Munster (4) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 6 | +16 | 186 | 87 | +99 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
| Sale Sharks (7) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 9 | +8 | 159 | 84 | +75 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 20 | −6 | 99 | 168 | −69 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Castres | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 26 | −18 | 90 | 195 | −105 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
* 21 October 2005 19:30
| Sale Sharks | 27–13 | Munster |
| Try: Martens 58' c Robinson 77' m Con: Hodgson Pen: Hodgson (5) 3', 20', 40+4', 51', 80+8' | Report | Try: Sheahan 34' c Con: O'Gara Pen: O'Gara (2) 11', 47' |
* Edgeley Park, Stockport Attendance: 10,704 Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
* 22 October 2005 18:15
| Castres Olympique | 29–24 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: Roumieau 16' c Milford (2) 24' c, 48' c Marticorena 58' m Con: Marticorena (3) Pen: Marticorena 42' | Report | Try: Cooper 54' c Wyatt (2) 64' c, 77' c Con: Warlow (3) Pen: Warlow 23' |
* Stade Pierre-Antoine, Castres Attendance: 6,451 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
* 28 October 2005 19:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 11–38 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Wyatt 47' m Pen: Warlow (2) 21', 35' | Report | Try: Hodgson 11' c Cueto 27' c Larrechea 36' c I. Fernández Lobbe 75' c Seveali'i 80+3' c Con: Hodgson (5) Pen: Hodgson 59' |
* Rodney Parade, Newport Attendance: 7,327 Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
* 29 October 2005 17:15
| Munster | 42–16 | Castres Olympique |
| Try: O'Callaghan 5' c Flannery 15' c Horgan 24' m Kelly 64' c Halstead 72' c Con: O'Gara (4) Pen: O'Gara (2) 52', 58' Manning 80+7' | Report | Try: Teulet 30' c Con: Marticorena Pen: Marticorena (3) 1', 14', 49' |
* Thomond Park, Limerick Attendance: 13,500 Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
* 9 December 2005 20:30
| Castres Olympique | 16–20 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Capo Ortega 21' c Con: Teulet Pen: Teulet (3) 52', 56', 62' | Report | Try: Robinson 40+3' c White 45' c Con: Hodgson (2) Pen: Hodgson (2) 15', 66' |
* Stade Pierre-Antoine, Castres Attendance: 6,500 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
* 10 December 2005 13:00
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 8–24 | Munster |
| Try: Chapman 80+6' m Pen: Warlow 40+5' | Report | Try: Leamy 36' m Horan 63' c Con: O'Gara Pen: O'Gara (2) 14', 40+2' Drop: Lawlor 10' O'Gara 24' |
* Rodney Parade, Newport Attendance: 8,323 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
* 16 December 2005 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 35–3 | Castres Olympique |
| Try: Chabal (2) 39' c, 42' c Robinson 45' c Todd 80' m Con: Hodgson (3) Pen: Hodgson (3) 5', 15', 19' | Report | Pen: Teulet 14' |
* Edgeley Park, Stockport Attendance: 9,246 Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
* 17 December 2005 17:15
| Munster | 30–18 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: O'Driscoll 17' c Foley 47' c Flannery 80' c Con: O'Gara (3) Pen: O'Gara (3) 7', 70', 73' | Report | Try: Jones 28' m Morgan 65' c Con: Sweeney Pen: Sweeney (2) 40+4', 64' |
* Thomond Park, Limerick Attendance: 13,200 Referee: Chris White (England)
* 13 January 2006 20:40
| Castres Olympique | 9–46 | Munster |
| Pen: Marticorena (3) 2', 40+3', 40+7' | Report | Try: Horan 32' m Payne 37' m Kelly 42' c O'Connell (2) 49' c, 56' m O'Leary (2) 67' c, 80' c Con: O'Gara (3) Manning Pen: O'Gara 10' |
* Stade Pierre-Antoine, Castres Attendance: 9,423 Referee: Chris White (England)
* 15 January 2006 13:00
| Sale Sharks | 30–10 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: Chabal 11' c Cueto (2) 27' m, 42' c Hodgson 57' m Con: Hodgson (2) Pen: Hodgson (2) 5', 13' | Report | Try: Fussell 20' m Tuʻipulotu 54' m |
* Edgeley Park, Stockport Attendance: 8,481 Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)
* 21 January 2006 17:15
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 28–17 | Castres Olympique |
| Try: Fussell 17' m Warlow 22' m Sweeney 29' m Ringer 39' m Gough 57' m Pen: Warlow 80+1' | Report | Try: Fior 65' c Christophers 75' c Con: Teulet (2) Pen: Teulet 50' |
* Rodney Parade, Newport Attendance: 4,475 Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
* 21 January 2006 17:15
| Munster | 31–9 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Foley 13' c Dowling 28' c Murphy 36' c Wallace 80+2' c Con: O'Gara (4) Pen: O'Gara | Report | Pen: Hodgson (3) 11', 16', 40+6' |
* Thomond Park, Limerick Attendance: 13,200 Referee: Joël Jutge (France)

## Pool 2

| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| Perpignan (5) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 5 | +15 | 160 | 52 | +108 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| Leeds Tykes | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 9 | +10 | 143 | 91 | +52 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| Cardiff Blues | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 18 | −2 | 128 | 145 | −17 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Calvisano | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 27 | −23 | 48 | 191 | −143 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* 22 October 2005 13:00
| Cardiff Blues | 40–13 | Leeds Tykes |
| Try: Sowden-Taylor 50' c G. Williams (2) 61' c, 73' c Yapp 69' c Con: N. Robinson (4) Pen: N. Robinson (4) 8', 34', 43', 80+4' | Report | Try: Snyman 18' c Con: Ross Pen: Ross 38' Drop: Marshall 24' |
* Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Attendance: 8,522 Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)
* 22 October 2005 14:00
| Calvisano | 6–25 | Perpignan |
| Pen: Kruger (2) 29', 40' | Report | Try: Manas 22' m Vaki 47' c Debaty 68' c Con: N. Laharrague Pez Pen: N. Laharrague 53' Drop: N. Laharrague 58' |
* Centro Sportivo San Michele, Calvisano Attendance: 1,800 Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
* 28 October 2005 20:00
| Leeds Tykes | 33–16 | Calvisano |
| Try: Rawlinson 35' m Palmer 43' c Gerber 72' m Stimpson 78' c Con: Ross (2) Pen: Ross (3) 4', 6', 59' | Report | Try: Van Schalkwyk 37' c Con: Kruger Pen: Kruger (3) 12', 40+7', 50' |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 2,625 Referee: Eric Darrière (France)
* 28 October 2005 20:30
| Perpignan | 37–14 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Manas 19' m Durand 26' c Hume 40' c Dawai Naulu 53' c Tonița 59' m Con: N. Laharrague (3) Pen: N. Laharrague (2) 5', 39' | Report | Try: J. Robinson 65' c R. Thomas 75' c Con: N. Robinson (2) |
* Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan Attendance: 13,000 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
* 10 December 2005 14:00
| Calvisano | 10–25 | Cardiff Blues |
* Centro Sportivo San Michele Attendance: 4,500
* 11 December 2005 14:30
| Leeds Tykes | 21–20 | Perpignan |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 3,053
* 17 December 2005 15:00
| Cardiff Blues | 43–16 | Calvisano |
* Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 11,764
* 17 December 2005 18:30
| Perpignan | 12–8 | Leeds Tykes |
* Stade Aimé Giral Attendance: 11,800
* 14 January 2006 13:00
| Cardiff Blues | 3–21 | Perpignan |
* Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 11,462
* 15 January 2006
| Calvisano | 0–20 | Leeds Tykes |
* Centro Sportivo San Michele
* 22 January 2006 13:00
| Leeds Tykes | 48–3 | Cardiff Blues |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 7,144
* 22 January 2006 14:00
| Perpignan | 45–0 | Calvisano |
* Stade Aimé Giral Attendance: 11,500

## Pool 3

| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| Leicester Tigers (3) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 10 | +9 | 179 | 111 | +68 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
| Stade Français | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 148 | 98 | +50 | 2 | 2 | 20 |
| Ospreys | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 20 | −11 | 90 | 144 | −54 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Clermont Auvergne | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 21 | −7 | 136 | 200 | −64 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
* 22 October 2005 14:45
| Leicester Tigers | 57–23 | Clermont Auvergne |
* Welford Road Attendance: 16,815
* 23 October 2005 15:00
| Ospreys | 13–8 | Stade Français |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 9,408
* 29 October 2005 14:00
| Stade Français | 12–6 | Leicester Tigers |
* Stade Charléty Attendance: 19,700
* 30 October 2005 16:00
| Clermont Auvergne | 34–14 | Ospreys |
* Stade Marcel-Michelin Attendance: 11,000
* 10 December 2005 16:00
| Clermont Auvergne | 12–16 | Stade Français |
* Stade Marcel-Michelin Attendance: 11,000
* 11 December 2005 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 30–12 | Ospreys |
* Welford Road Attendance: 16,815
* 17 December 2005 18:00
| Stade Français | 47–28 | Clermont |
* Stade Jean-Bouin Attendance: 12,000
* 18 December 2005 13:00
| Ospreys | 15–17 | Leicester Tigers |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 11,488
* 14 January 2006 17:00
| Ospreys | 26–12 | Clermont |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,204
* 15 January 2006 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 29–22 | Stade Français |
* Welford Road Attendance: 16,815
* 20 January 2006 20:30
| Clermont | 27–40 | Leicester Tigers |
* Stade Marcel-Michelin Attendance: 10,000
* 20 January 2006 20:30
| Stade Français | 43–10 | Ospreys |
* Stade Jean-Bouin Attendance: 12,000

## Pool 4

| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| Biarritz (2) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 10 | +14 | 182 | 93 | +89 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
| Saracens | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 13 | −1 | 128 | 129 | −1 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Ulster | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 13 | +2 | 126 | 111 | +15 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| Benetton Treviso | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 28 | −15 | 104 | 207 | −103 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
* 21 October 2005 19:30
| Ulster | 27–0 | Benetton Treviso |
| Try: Wilson 20' N. Best 57' McMillan 75' Maggs Con: David Humphreys (2) 20', 75' Pen: David Humphreys 6' | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 12,252 Referee: Jean-Pierre Matheu
* 23 October 2005 15:00
| Saracens | 22–10 | Biarritz |
* Vicarage Road Attendance: 11,167
* 29 October 2005 14:00
| Benetton Treviso | 17–30 | Saracens |
* Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 3,000
* 29 October 2005 16:00
| Biarritz | 33–19 | Ulster |
| Try: Badabé (2) 1', 14' Bălan 4' Gobelet 73' Con: Yachvili (2) 15', 73' Pen: Yachvili (2) 40', 65' Drop: Peyrelongue 80+5' | Report | Try: N. Best 18' S. Best 59' Pen: David Humphreys (3) 7', 32', 68' |
* Parc des Sports Aquil Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse
* 9 December 2005 19:30
| Ulster | 19–10 | Saracens |
| Try: R. Best 78' Con: David Humphreys 79' Pen: David Humphreys (4) 25', 55', 71', 77' | Report | Try: Jackson 14' Con: Jackson 15' Pen: Jackson 61' |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 12,300 Referee: Eric Darriere
* 11 December 2005 16:05
| Biarritz | 34–7 | Benetton Treviso |
* Parc des Sports Aquil Attendance: 4,500
* 17 December 2005 13:00
| Saracens | 18–10 | Ulster |
| Try: Skirving 3' Yates 40+4' Con: Jackson 4' Pen: Jackson (2) 67', 80+5' | Report | Try: Bowe 5' Con: David Humphreys 6' Pen: David Humphreys 78' |
* Vicarage Road Attendance: 8,571 Referee: Joel Jutge
* 17 December 2005 14:00
| Benetton Treviso | 24–38 | Biarritz |
* Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 2,500
* 13 January 2006 19:30
| Ulster | 8–24 | Biarritz |
| Try: Best 5' Pen: David Humphreys 51' | Report | Try: Bobo 30' Bălan 62' Con: Yachvili 62' Pen: Yachvili (3) 11', 72' 79' Drop: Peyrelongue 80+1' |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 12,300 Referee: Dave Pearson
* 15 January 2006 15:00
| Saracens | 35–30 | Benetton Treviso |
* Vicarage Road Attendance: 5,712
* 21 January 2006 16:00
| Benetton Treviso | 26–43 | Ulster |
| Try: Tejeda (2) 39', 40+3' Williams 42' Palmer 67' Con: Goosen (3) 39', 40+3', 67' | Report | Try: Maxwell (3) 3', 21', 33' Trimble (2) 52', 79' Wallace 60' Con: Steinmetz (5) 4', 22', 34', 52' 79' Pen: Steinmetz 41' |
* Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 21 January 2006 16:00
| Biarritz | 43–13 | Saracens |
* Parc des Sports Aquil Attendance: 7,000

## Pool 5

| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| Bath (6) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 9 | +9 | 166 | 111 | +55 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
| Leinster (8) | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 13 | +15 | 214 | 124 | +90 | 4 | 2 | 22 |
| Bourgoin | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 24 | −15 | 109 | 195 | −86 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Glasgow | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 25 | −9 | 131 | 190 | −59 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
* 21 October 2005 20:30
| Bourgoin | 16–3 | Glasgow |
* Stade Pierre Rajon Attendance: 7,000
* 22 October 2005 17:15
| Leinster | 19–22 | Bath |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 13,152
* 29 October 2005 14:15
| Bath | 39–12 | Bourgoin |
* Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,350
* 30 October 2005 15:00
| Glasgow | 20–33 | Leinster |
* Hughenden Attendance: 1,907
* 10 December 2005 14:15
| Bath | 31–26 | Glasgow |
* Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,200
* 10 December 2005 17:15
| Leinster | 53–7 | Bourgoin |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 11,133
* 16 December 2005 19:30
| Glasgow | 10–29 | Bath |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 1,759
* 17 December 2005 16:00
| Bourgoin | 30–28 | Leinster |
* Stade Pierre Rajon Attendance: 6,800
* 13 January 2006 20:30
| Bourgoin | 9–22 | Bath |
* Stade Pierre Rajon Attendance: 7,500
* 14 January 2006 17:15
| Leinster | 46–22 | Glasgow |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 12,443
* 22 January 2006 15:00
| Bath | 23–35 | Leinster |
* Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,600
* 22 January 2006 15:00
| Glasgow | 50–35 | Bourgoin |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 1,038

## Pool 6

| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| Toulouse (1) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 11 | +11 | 188 | 124 | +64 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| London Wasps | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 173 | 118 | +55 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Llanelli Scarlets | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 26 | −8 | 152 | 206 | −54 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| Edinburgh | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 22 | −8 | 121 | 186 | −65 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
* 22 October 2005 16:00
| Toulouse | 50–28 | Llanelli Scarlets |
* Stade Ernest Wallon Attendance: 17,138
* 23 October 2005 13:00
| Edinburgh | 32–31 | London Wasps |
* Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 4,639
* 29 October 2005 15:00
| Llanelli Scarlets | 15–13 | Edinburgh |
* Stradey Park Attendance: 6,375
* 30 October 2005 15:00
| London Wasps | 15–15 | Toulouse |
* Adams Park Attendance: 10,200
* 10 December 2005 16:00
| Edinburgh | 13–20 | Toulouse |
* Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 4,094
* 11 December 2005 13:00
| Llanelli Scarlets | 21–13 | London Wasps |
* Stradey Park Attendance: 7,248
* 16 December 2005 20:30
| Toulouse | 35–13 | Edinburgh |
* Stade Ernest Wallon Attendance: 17,045
* 18 December 2005 15:00
| London Wasps | 48–14 | Llanelli Scarlets |
* Adams Park Attendance: 7,157
* 14 January 2006 16:00
| Toulouse | 19–13 | London Wasps |
* Stade Municipal Attendance: 34,000
* 14 January 2006 17:00
| Edinburgh | 33–32 | Llanelli Scarlets |
* Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 2,680
* 21 January 2006 13:00
| Llanelli Scarlets | 42–49 | Toulouse |
* Stradey Park Attendance: 7,196
* 21 January 2006 13:00
| London Wasps | 53–17 | Edinburgh |
* Adams Park Attendance: 7,303

## Seeding and runners-up

| Seed | Pool winners | Pts | TF | +/− |
| 1 | Toulouse | 25 | 22 | +64 |
| 2 | Biarritz | 24 | 24 | +89 |
| 3 | Leicester Tigers | 24 | 19 | +68 |
| 4 | Munster | 23 | 22 | +99 |
| 5 | Perpignan | 23 | 20 | +108 |
| 6 | Bath | 23 | 18 | +55 |
| Seed | Pool runners-up | Pts | TF | +/− |
| 7 | Sale Sharks | 23 | 17 | +75 |
| 8 | Leinster | 22 | 28 | +90 |
| – | Leeds Tykes | 20 | 19 | +108 |
| – | Stade Français | 20 | 16 | +50 |
| – | Saracens | 17 | 12 | −1 |
| – | London Wasps | 14 | 18 | +55 |