Welsh clubs suffered a Celtic League calamity in the latest round of action as they only narrowly avoided an embarrassing 5-0 whitewash.

Neath, Swansea and Newport all lost to Irish opposition, while Bridgend were destroyed 47-11 by Glasgow as the quest for quarter-final places gathered pace.

Pontypridd prevented the clean sweep, but only just, after defeating Gary Armstrong's improving Borders outfit 28-27 at Sardis Road.

Neath lost their 100 percent tournament record in Belfast, where an Ulster side minus 10 first team regulars triumphed 17-13.

The Welsh All Blacks made an impressive start, moving into a comfortable lead through wing Shane Williams' try, plus a conversion and penalty from fly-half Lee Jarvis, but Ulster hit back impressively.

Brian Cunningham and Tyrone Howe claimed vital touchdowns, before Neil Doak's goalkicking ultimately edged a tense contest.

Munster, also shorn of their big names due to Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia in Siberia, reeled off a fourth successive win by sinking Swansea 38-27 in Cork.

Munster raced 28 points clear, leading 31-3 through a Dominic Crotty trydouble, one by Mossie Lawlor and six successful Jeremy Staunton kicks, until Swansea belatedly stirred.

Arwel Thomas, Steve Winn, Colin Charvis and Gavin Henson all breached theMunster defence, but those scores came either side of a Mike Prendergast try that kept the home side clear.

Newport's dismal Celtic League campaign continued away to Connacht, where an 18-12 reversal made it four defeats in as many starts.

Shane Howarth booted all Newport's points, but Connacht ran out deserved winners as full-back James Norton and wing Wayne Nunn grabbed tries to keep the unsung Irish outfit on a clear quarter-final course.

Pontypridd had Neil Jenkins to thank for securing their nervy victory over the Borders.

International rugby's all-time record points scorer kicked six penalties, a drop-goal and conversion of flanker Michael Owen's second half try to deny the Scots an unlikely success.

Borders still ran in three tries though - Campbell Feather, Gregor Townsend and Craig Moir the scorers - with centre Kevin Utterson booting 12 points.