One week later, conversion rates start to rise, salvaging what could have been a Grinch-like holiday season.

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Even a small conversion will start an important five-year clock running.

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In other countries subsidies helped to kick-start demand, but Britain's system of conversion grants was badly run, and eventually fell foul of European state-aid rules.

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Matthews was marking his first start since damaging his ankle in November and Dunne's conversion edged Connacht 10-3 ahead at half-time.

BBC: Connacht 10-16 Leinster

The England fly-half contender missed the conversion and Leicester went off the boil at the start of the second half, allowing Treviso to briefly raise the possibility of a shock home win.

BBC: Treviso 16-60 Leicester

Cardiff made a strong start, and were 10-0 up inside 15 minutes through Ashman's touchdown and a conversion and penalty from fly-half Mike Rayer.

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His conversion cut the lead to one but Jackson landed a penalty straight after the re-start to nudge Sarries back into a four-point lead and he then set up a sparkling try.

BBC: Saracens 26-20 Bath

The outside-half added the conversion and, minutes later, a 30-metre penalty to compound the visitors' nightmare start.

BBC: Leicester 40-22 Harlequins