Arguably the biggest marker was laid down by Edinburgh’s Greig Laidlaw in the Gunners’ 19-12 defeat of Cardiff Blues.

Laidlaw, who was overlooked for Scotland’s World Cup squad, has been in superb form for Edinburgh this season and contributed 14 points including a drop goal, three penalties and a conversion.

It was all the more impressive for Laidlaw, who has converted to fly-half from scrum-half, as it came opposite Scottish rival Dan Parks, who finished with three penalties of his own.

Wales international winger Leigh Halfpenny kicked the other points for the Blues – with a last-minute penalty that earned what could be a vital bonus point – while Tim Visser, who will be eligible for Scottish selection in the summer, scored the only try of the match.

Elsewhere, there was more disappointment for Welsh sides as the Ospreys lost 16-13 at home to English champions Saracens.

While fly-half Dan Biggar contributed two penalties and converted Ian Gough’s try, he was also responsible for the concession of a try to Saracens.

The 22-year-old took too long with his clearing kick, allowing Charlie Hodgson a chargedown which led to Ernst Joubert’s try.

In contrast, Owen Farrell had another consummate match in the No.12 shirt with the converted stand-off landing three penalties and a conversion.

Meanwhile, Kris Burton did his hopes of a recall to the Azzurri no harm with four penalties in Treviso’s 29-12 reverse to French side Biarritz.

The Italians were always on the backfoot once Francesco Minto was sent-off in the 25th minute and the Basques took full advantage with tries by Iain Balshaw, Dane Haylett-Petty, Wenceslas Lauret and Arnaud Heguy.