Jonah Lomu has recovered from the knee injury which has sidelined him from New Zealand's provincial championship for the past month and looks set to be named in the All Blacks squad for next month's internationals against England, France and Wales.

But long-serving fly-half Andrew Mehrtens is reportedly set to miss the trip after struggling with a hamstring strain since the culmination of the 2002 Tri-Nations series.

Ulster boosted their hopes of reaching the Celtic League quarter-finals with a 67-15 demolition of Caerphilly which enabled the 1999 Heineken Cup winners to climb into third place in Pool A.

The Ireland fly-half David Humphreys kicked five first-half penalties while Tony McWhirter and Shane Stewart crossed for Ulster before the interval. After the break, it was one-way traffic with Neil Best (twice), Warren Brosnihan, Jonathan Bell, Matt Sexton and Tyrone Howe going over and Humphreys ending with 27 points. Caerphilly's scrum-half Allen Chilten had the consolation of twice breaching the visitors' line.

Edinburgh sealed their quarter-final spot with a 30-20 victory over Ebbw Vale. The Scots' tries came from Simon Webster, Simon Taylor and Mike Blair, and Brendan Laney kicked their other points. Vale's full-back Mark Meenan chalked up 15 points and Scott Mitchell claimed a consolation try just before the end.

Munster also confirmed their place in the knock-out stages with a 35-19 win over Neath at The Gnoll. Ronan O'Gara was his usual prolific self with a try, three penalties and three conversions, and there were tries also for Mossie Lawlor, Jim Williams and Frankie Sheahan. Lee Jarvis kicked four penalties for Neath while Shaun Connor converted Steve Jones' try.

Cardiff clinched their place in the last eight by running in five tries during a 37-12 success over Bridgend in Pool B. The home side's touchdowns came from Martyn Williams, Craig Morgan, John Tait and a Matt Allen double while the boot of Nicky Robinson supplied 12 points. All Bridgend's points were kicked by Craig Warlow.

Romania qualified for the 2003 World Cup in Australia with an emphatic 67-6 victory over Spain in Iasi. The hosts' fly-half, Ionut Tofan, had a field day, scoring two tries and rattling up a total of 32 points.

Bristol, fresh from last weekend's victory over champions Leicester, visit Leeds in the Zurich Premiership today for a contest which will pitch the season's two leading scorers against each other. Bristol's Argentine fly-half Felipe Contepomi leads the way with 84 points, but Leeds' South African centre Braam van Straaten only trails him by four.

Worcester helped themselves to 11 tries as they moved four points clear in National League One by hammering Bedford 69-10. But second-placed Rotherham could regain the lead this afternoon when they entertain Moseley.