Munster added some much-needed fizz to their Heineken Cup challenge by scoring a comprehensive 45-18 bonus-point win over Toulon at Thomond Park.

In a game that crackled with intensity and high-octane rugby, Munster recovered from leaking a try after just 56 seconds to hit back with six converted scores of their own.

Stand-in captain Denis Leamy, Tony Buckley, Doug Howlett (2), man of the match Mick O'Driscoll and James Coughlan all crossed the whitewash for the two-time champions, with Ronan O'Gara kicking 15 points.

Toulon were far from overawed but tries from Jean-Philippe Genevois and skipper Joe van Niekerk, and a long-range drop-goal from Jonny Wilkinson were their only high points as they were put to the sword.

Stephen Myler kicked 16 points as Northampton came from behind to win 31-27 at Murrayfield and go three points clear at the top of Pool One.

It was a heartbreaking scoreline for Edinburgh who had played some scintillating rugby in the first half, only to see their lead whittled away as the power of the Northampton pack forced them on to the back foot.

Allan Jacobsen, Netani Talei and Ben Cairns were the try-scorers for Edinburgh, with Chris Paterson contributing 12 points, while Dylan Hartley, James Downey and Paul Diggin touched down for Saints.

Bath got their Cup campaign back on track with a 22-6 bonus-point win over Italian strugglers Aironi.

First-half tries from Matt Carraro, man of the match Nick Abendanon and the eye-catching Tom Biggs, followed by a second-half touchdown from skipper Luke Watson, gave Bath the spoils. Olly Barkley slotted a solitary conversion.

Ex-Gloucester fly-half Ludovic Mercier kicked two penalties for the home side, who enjoyed more ball and territory then the scoreline suggested.