The 2012 European champion, who has notched 54 points in Europe’s elite club competition so far this season, amassed 18 as Ulster overpowered Munster Rugby 38-17 in the Guinness PRO14.

Munster, second in Pool 4, now travel to leaders Racing 92 next Sunday, with the French club fresh from a 27-19 home win over Clermont in the TOP 14 on Saturday and Teddy Iribaren in red-hot form after his 17 points at Paris La Defense Arena.

The top two also clash in Pool 2 in Round 5, with pacesetters Exeter Chiefs visiting Glasgow Warriors and both full of confidence after convincing domestic successes at the weekend.

Glasgow triumphed at 38-19 at Benetton Rugby on Saturday, when George Horne scored two of the Scottish team’s six tries and brother Peter notched 13 points, before Exeter cruised to a 45-28 success at London Irish, where Sam Hill recorded two of the Chiefs’ six tries and Gareth Steenson kicked 15 points.

Benetton now travel to Northampton Saints, who will be buzzing for next Sunday’s Pool 1 tie at Franklin’s Gardens after an extraordinary 35-31 Gallagher Premiership win at Wasps on Sunday.

With two-try Cobus Reinach in the sin bin and Tom Collins red-carded, Taqele Naiyaravoro dived over four minutes from time to snatch victory for the Saints and set them up nicely for next weekend, when they will be seeking to consolidate second place behind Leinster Rugby, who have already qualified.

Pool 5 sees leaders Toulouse visit Connacht Rugby on the back of a surprise 30-18 TOP 14 defeat at Stade Francais Paris and second-placed Gloucester Rugby host Montpellier following a 29-15 Gallagher Premiership win over Bath Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium. Both Round 5 matches are on Saturday.

John Cooney, twice a Heineken Man of the Match in Ulster Rugby’s march to the top of Pool 3 in the Heineken Champions Cup, warmed up for next Saturday’s vital Round 5 trip to second-placed ASM Clermont Auvergne with an outstanding domestic display at the weekend.