Yannick Bolasie's 11-minute hat-trick helped Crystal Palace humiliate relegation-threatened Sunderland.

Glenn Murray put the Eagles ahead when he headed in from close range after Bolasie's deflected cross.
Bolasie added a second soon afterwards as he poked the ball past Costel Pantilimon after Murray's knockdown.
A lofted finish from Bolasie made it 3-0 and he completed his treble from Murray's pass before Connor Wickham volleyed in a late consolation.
The result, the second time in three home games that Sunderland have conceded four goals, increases the Black Cats' relegation fears.
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They have been in the Premier League for eight successive seasons but are now 16th in the table, only three points above QPR and Burnley.
Sunderland have only six games left to save themselves, but their last two matches of the season are away at Arsenal and then at current leaders Chelsea.
Dick Advocaat, brought in after former manager Gus Poyet had been sacked following a 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa, had stressed the importance of this match to his side.
But he was let down by some woeful defending as the hosts capitulated and conceded four goals in a 14-minute spell early in the second half.
After a quiet first half that was low on quality and goalscoring chances, but high on fierce challenges, the match sprung into life within three minutes of the restart.
Murray headed in his sixth goal in six games to set Palace on their way to their eighth win in 12 Premier League games since Alan Pardew took over at the start of the January.
But even he could not have expected what was to follow.
The hosts fell apart and three minutes later Bolasie, with one goal in his previous 27 league matches this season, got to Murray's flick-on first to make it 2-0.
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The third goal was a poor one to concede, although Bolasie showed great technique to lift the ball over advancing Sunderland goalkeeper Pantilimon.
Sunderland, who had beaten Newcastle 1-0 in their last match, fell further behind as Murray again linked up with Bolasie and he scored at the second attempt after being initially denied by Pantilimon.
Advocaat had named what looked an attacking line-up with Jermain Defoe, Steven Fletcher and Wickham named in a three-man forward-line, although it took the hosts 44 minutes to record a shot on target.
In front of a near-empty home support, who left the ground en masse after Palace's fourth goal, Wickham did well to steer the ball into the net in the 90th minute after Patrick van Aanholt's pullback.
But it could not take the shine off Palace's day as they boosted their hopes of finishing in the top half of the Premier League for the first time ever.
However, for Sunderland it was another dark day at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat said:
"We have to recover in 14 days with an away game against Stoke and we have to do better as this was not good enough.
"After the Newcastle game we did not see this performance coming. We had trained really well and the confidence had come back. We gave the match away in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
"We could not cope with their pace, but I don't want to complain about the players. We win as a team and lose as a team.
"We still have six matches left and it's in our hands. You cannot lose 4-1 to Crystal Palace in a home game because we need to get results."


Social media firms in Germany could face fines of up to 50 million euros if they take too long to remove illegal content including fake news.

Germany's justice minister has drafted a law that seeks to impose the fines as part of efforts to police toxic chat.
Heiko Maas said the voluntary efforts of social networks to tackle the problem had not gone far enough.
The proposal requires sites to run 24-hour helplines and to delete flagged content within seven days.
Social media firms such as Twitter and Facebook were getting better at handling illegal content, said Mr Maas, but both had a long way to go.
Mr Maas quoted research which suggested Twitter deletes only 1% of the hate speech it is told about by users, and Facebook, 39%.
"This isn't sufficient yet," said Mr Maas.
Racism and hate speech are believed to have become more prevalent on German social media following the arrival of large number of refugees in Germany.
Any content that was "clearly criminal" would have to be removed within 24 hours under conditions outlined in the draft law. If, after an investigation, content is found to be criminal then that must be removed in seven days. The people who posted the illegal content must also be told about its deletion.
The proposed law would require each network to run fully staffed, round-the-clock reporting systems and to name an individual responsible for handling complaints. That person could face an individually levied fine of five million euros if companies break laws governing what can be published.
Mr Maas said the law could apply to fake news articles if they proved to be slanderous, defamatory or libellous.
Facebook did not comment directly on the proposal but said tests it commissioned showed it removed a higher percentage of illegal content than Mr Maas claimed. The social network said it expected to have 700 people employed in Berlin by the end of 2017 overseeing its efforts to review flagged content.
German digital trade association Bitkom criticised the proposed law. It told the Financial Times that the requirement to remove material within 24 hours on sites that handle more than one billion posts per day was "utterly impossible to implement in operational terms".


Just why the UK's biggest police corruption trial collapsed will be the focus of an investigation ordered by the Home Secretary, says the solicitor for one of the men wrongly convicted of killing a Cardiff prostitute.

Lynette White was stabbed more than 50 times in 1988 in the Cardiff docklands flat where she worked.
The quashed convictions later led to the Â£30m corruption case in 2011.
The Home Office said it would make an announcement shortly.
Lynette, 20, was murdered on St Valentine's Day 1988 at the flat in Butetown, where she took clients.
Tony Paris, Yusef Abdullahi and Stephen Miller - who became known as the Cardiff Three - were wrongly jailed for life in 1990 for the murder and freed in 1992 after their convictions were quashed.
In 2003 new DNA technology led South Wales Police to Ms White's real killer - Jeffrey Gafoor. He confessed to stabbing her in a row over Â£30.
Twelve former South Wales Police officers were charged with perverting the course of justice - but the trial of eight of them collapsed in 2011.
Matthew Gold,  who acts for Stephen Miller, said the investigation would examine how the process of ensuring the defence had all the relevant evidence failed.
The system - known as disclosure - is supposed to mean both sides in a case share all their relevant documents.
"This investigation is not a reopening of the case against the (police) officers," insisted Mr Gold.
"It will address the systems employed by the prosecution to make sure disclosure worked, which in this case it did not, and also the role of individual disclosure officers."
Mr Gold said he had been informed that the investigation will start on 2 March, led by Richard Horwell QC.


Three police officers have been removed from usual duties after concerns over the use of force in a video circulating on social media.

The footage shows an officer using a baton after a row breaks out between a man and plain-clothed policemen in Upper Sutton Street, Aston, Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said after an initial investigation, the matter has been referred to the police watchdog.
The three officers have been redeployed to other work.
See more stories from across Birmingham and the Black Country here
The video was posted on Sunday by police monitoring campaign group Netpol.
In a statement, West Midlands Police said: "We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to arrests made by officers in Birmingham yesterday.
"We are quickly gathering as much information as possible and we will undertake an assessment of that information to understand exactly what has happened.
The force initially confirmed five of its neighbourhood policing officers had been involved.
However, later on Monday it said the investigation involved three officers, all of constable rank, who will be redeployed to other work but will not be engaged in duties outside a police station.
The matter has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the force said.
In a tweet, community campaigner Desmond Jaddoo, said: "This not the way to conduct stop & search or treat the public.
"Excessive disproportionate unjustified use force against the BME (black minority ethnic) community."
The force said a 20-year-old man arrested for a public order offence had been released while inquiries continued.
A 28-year-old male was cautioned for possessing cannabis.


West Brom have suspended takeover talks with an unnamed bidder to end hopes of having new owners this month.

The Baggies have ended a period of exclusive negotiations with the bidder, reported to be a Chinese consortium.
"It is now clear to me that this potential purchaser is unable to fulfil the terms of that agreement at this time," said chairman Jeremy Peace.
Peace, who owns 88% of the club, has been chairman for 13 years and would sell "if it was right for the club".
He continued in a club statement: "The club's long-term stability and continued development is of paramount importance and I am not satisfied that the interests of West Bromwich Albion would have been best served by my continuing discussions at present.
"It is important that I re-emphasise that the possible sale of the club does not and will not impact upon its day-to-day running and that this applies particularly in an area which I know concerns all supporters - team strengthening."
"As for the club's long-term future, it is true that both before and since the exclusivity announcement was made, other parties have expressed strong interest in a purchase of the club and therefore that process remains ongoing."
Peace said earlier in July the club hoped to have new owners by the end of the month after entering a period of exclusivity with the bidder.
Since Peace became chairman in 2003 the Baggies have spent only four years outside the top flight.
The club reported pre-tax profits of £14.7m on an income of £86.8m for the year ending 30 June 2014.


The US space agency (Nasa) has launched its latest orbiting X-ray observatory.

The
          Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (Nustar)
 was sent into space on a Pegasus rocket operated out of the Kwajalein Atol in the central Pacific.
Nustar will study high-energy X-rays coming from exotic sources such as black holes, exploded stars and the hot gas in galaxy clusters.
The observatory will capture its target X-rays using a novel optics system held on the end of a 10m-long extension.
"Nustar will open up a whole new window on the Universe by being the very first telescope to focus high-energy X-rays," explained Fiona Harrison, Nustar's principal investigator from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California.
"As such it will make images that are 10 times crisper and 100 times more sensitive than any telescope that has operated in this region of the spectrum."
Nustar will be sensitive to X-ray photons with energies in the range of six to 79 kiloelectron volts (keV).  This is beyond the vision of the two large-class observatories currently in orbit -
          Nasa's Chandra telescope
 and the European Space Agency's
          (Esa) XMM-Newton facility
.
Nustar's breakthrough is the new technology that has gone into its nested shells of highly reflective grazing mirrors, and the detectors it will be using in its camera system.  The long mast that gives Nustar its 10m focal length has never been deployed on a space telescope before but borrows heavily from the extendable mechanism flown on the shuttle radar topography mission of 2000.
Nustar's total mission budget is $170m (Â£110m), which includes the cost of development, the launch vehicle and two years of in-orbit operations.
Nasa could extend the mission in 2014 if it feels the telescope is delivering on its science goals. These include generating sky maps of high-energy X-ray sources.  At the moment, such maps are very coarse. It is hoped Nustar will resolve many more objects than has previously been possible.
Nustar will also study the region in the immediate vicinity of black holes, where the immense gravitational attraction of these objects is shredding and accelerating the gas and dust that has got too close.
"By studying atoms in the X-ray band as they circle around the black hole, before they disappear into it, we can actually detect the effects of this strong gravity; and by teaming up with other telescopes such as Chandra and XMM-Newton, we can tell things for example like how fast the black hole is spinning," said Prof Harrison.
In addition, Nustar will investigate the material recently shed by supernovas to help get a better understanding of how stars explode and how they synthesize heavy chemical elements in the process.
Nustar will even turn its gaze on our Sun, to probe the processes driving the extraordinary million-degree temperatures in its
          outer atmosphere, or corona
.
"One of the dominant theories explaining it is nanoflares, but no telescope prior to Nustar has had the sensitivity to see whether nanoflares actually exist," said Dan Stern, Nustar project scientist.
"Within a few hours of observations, Nustar will answer this long-standing question that solar physicists have been scratching their heads about for years."
Nustar went into space on the air-launched Pegasus XL rocket.
This vehicle was carried to a height of about 41,000ft (12.5km) under the belly of a L-1011 Stargazer aircraft.
The Pegasus was then dropped, igniting its motor to take the telescope payload the rest of the way into space.
Nustar's ascent to the planned 600km-high, equatorial orbit took about 800 seconds.
The telescope's first task was to open solar array panels to charge its battery.  It will be another week before the mast is extended.
"After the mast is deployed, the optics and the detector are at the right separation to make a high-resolution X-ray image, so we can start instrument calibration which lasts approximately three weeks," said Yunjin Kim, the project manager for the mission at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory also in Pasadena.
"After instrument calibration is completed, Nustar is ready to listen to what the X-ray Universe has to tell us."
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on
          Twitter


Lincoln City ended a three-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw at home to Gateshead in the National League.

Gateshead goalkeeper Sam Russell made saves from Alex Simmons and Jack Muldoon before Luke Waterfall headed in eight minutes before half-time.
The Tynesiders equalised on 78 minutes when substitute Danny Johnson ran onto a long ball to slot past Paul Farman.
The Imps almost won the game at the death when Alan Power's effort from 30 yards just missed.
Lincoln City manager Chris Moyses told BBC Radio Lincolnshire:
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"I was pleased with the whole performance, bar a bit of naivety. I thought we passed the ball really well for the whole of the game but we just need to be ruthless.
"The way we played today was a lot of energy, a lot of running and a lot of balls down the sides and I thought we played very well.
"You look at the stats and they say we got one point over Easter which isn't great but you look at the performances and it's something to work on."


Oxford United made it two wins from two at the start of their League One campaign by beating Portsmouth at the Kassam Stadium.

Wes Thomas and Josh Ruffels were on target for the second week running, having both bagged in Oxford's season-opening victory at Oldham last week, while Gino van Kessel scored a brilliant individual goal.
It was the visitors who had the first sight at goal when Kyle Bennett tried his luck from 20 yards, which Simon Eastwood parried for a corner.
Jack Whatmough headed straight at the U's goalkeeper while Pompey forward Brett Pitman had a goal disallowed for a push in the back just before half-time.
Oxford capitalised on the let-off early in the second half when Thomas bundled in from three yards after Luke McGee failed to hold Christian Ribeiro's cross-shot.
It remained that way until the 82nd minute, when substitute Van Kessel, signed on loan from Slavia Prague, marked his introduction by beating two defenders and slamming home an angled drive.
Ruffels then slid in a third in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete Pompey's miserable second half.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Oxford United 3, Portsmouth 0.
Second Half ends, Oxford United 3, Portsmouth 0.
Goal!  Oxford United 3, Portsmouth 0. Josh Ruffels (Oxford United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jack Payne.
Attempt missed. Brett Pitman (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Conor Chaplin (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Josh Ruffels (Oxford United).
Attempt blocked. Gareth Evans (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Robert Hall (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Kyle Bennett (Portsmouth).
Attempt saved. Jack Payne (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal!  Oxford United 2, Portsmouth 0. Gino van Kessel (Oxford United) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Robert Hall.
Foul by Danny Rose (Portsmouth).
Jack Payne (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Oxford United. Gino van Kessel replaces Marvin Johnson.
Attempt missed. Robert Hall (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Danny Rose (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Jack Payne (Oxford United).
Corner,  Oxford United. Conceded by Luke McGee.
Attempt saved. Jonathan Obika (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
Substitution, Oxford United. Robert Hall replaces James Henry.
Corner,  Portsmouth. Conceded by Ricardinho.
Substitution, Oxford United. Jonathan Obika replaces Wes Thomas.
Substitution, Portsmouth. Carl Baker replaces Drew Talbot.
Attempt missed. James Henry (Oxford United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
Foul by Wes Thomas (Oxford United).
(Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Jack Payne (Oxford United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Jack Payne (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner,  Oxford United. Conceded by Christian Burgess.
Foul by Ryan Ledson (Oxford United).
Adam May (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Marvin Johnson (Oxford United).
Gareth Evans (Portsmouth) wins a free kick on the left wing.
(Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Kyle Bennett (Portsmouth).
Corner,  Portsmouth. Conceded by Mike Williamson.
Substitution, Portsmouth. Conor Chaplin replaces Kal Naismith.
Corner,  Portsmouth. Conceded by Ricardinho.
Attempt missed. Kal Naismith (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Corner,  Oxford United. Conceded by Christian Burgess.


Ospreys captain Alun Wyn Jones has warned his team must improve if they are to complete a Champions Cup double over Bordeaux-Begles.

The Welsh region are level with Exeter at the top of Pool Two after their 19-16 home win over the French side.
But Ospreys struggled to subdue Bordeaux, who were reduced to 14 men for most of the second half.
"Potentially you could say it was indifferent at certain points of the game," admitted 30-year-old Jones.
"There were a lot of unforced errors early on and we probably tried a bit too hard at certain times, two things we can control."
The Bordeaux trip on Saturday falls at a crucial time of the season for Ospreys.
They follow that match with a trip to neighbours and Pro12 leaders the Scarlets on Boxing Day, before hosting Newport Gwent Dragons on New Year's Day.
"It's the business turning point of the season," added Jones, speaking during an Ospreys squad visit to Swansea's Morriston Hospital.
"When we go into the New Year, we'll see where we end up off the back of the Christmas derbies and going into the final rounds of the Champions Cup.
"It's a tough turn of the year, but hopefully it can set us up for the back side of the season."
Flanker Justin Tipuric added: "We've started the month off well but it gets harder and harder now.
"We've got to go away to Bordeaux, the best-supported team in France and try to get a result."
Jones and Tipuric were part of an Ospreys contingent handing out presents and posing for photos on the children's ward at Morriston Hospital, while other members of the squad were at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.
"There are a lot of boys in the squad that want to do it, we've got a lot of fathers in the squad," said Jones.
"It's nice to get round and see people to try to put smiles on faces, to give out Santa hats and gifts.
"It's not just to see the patients and give them a smile and help them on the road to recovery, but also the families, and the doctors and nurses who do a great job."


Yoga can improve mood and mental wellbeing among prisoners, an Oxford University study has claimed.

Researchers aimed to see if a trial ten-week yoga course, run by the Prison Phoenix Trust charity, could ease aggression and antisocial behaviour.
Dr Amy Bilderbeck said yoga could "possibly aid in managing the burden of mental health problems in prisons".
Inmates from West Midlands' category B and C prisons, a women's prison and a young offender institution took part.
The team from Oxford University's Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry measured their mood, stress, impulsivity and mental wellbeing compared to other prisoners.
Dr Bilderbeck said: 'We found that the group that did the yoga course showed an improvement in positive mood, a decrease in stress and greater accuracy in a computer test of impulsivity and attention.
"Offering yoga sessions in prisons is cheap, much cheaper than other mental health interventions. If it has any effect on addressing mental health problems in prisons, it could save significant amounts of public money."
She cautioned that yoga lessons would not "suddenly turn prisons into calm and serene places, stop all aggression and reduce reoffending rates".
Sam Settle, director of the Oxford-based Prison Phoenix Trust, said: "Yoga and meditation helps them feel better, make better decisions and develop the capacity to think before acting - all essential in leading positive, crime-free lives once back in the community.'


Glasgow light-welterweight Willie Limond says he was ready to give up on his professional career before getting the "buzz back again for boxing".

After being out of the ring for 18 months, the British and Commonwealth champion, 36, is now targeting the WBC silver title.
"I was ready to call it a day," he told BBC Scotland.
"After the [Curtis] Woodhouse fight, I kind of went flat - fights were promised, nothing happened."
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Along with trainer Billy Nelson and businessman James White, the boxer formed a promotions company and have since taken a number of up-and-coming athletes under their wing.
"It's good training with all the younger boys again, showing them that old school is still the best school," said Limond.
Limond, bidding for his first world title, will take on former French champion Christopher Sebir at Bellahouston on 19 March for the WBC silver title.
Sebir, 29, has 34 fights under his belt - the victor in 24 of them, losing nine and drawing one.
"He'll have 10 weeks' notice come fight time so he'll be in great shape and I believe it's the best we're going to see him," said Limond.
"And I'll need to be the best to beat him and believe I will be.
"It was good to be back in training on Monday, being put through my paces by [trainer] Peter Harrison.
"In my eyes, I'm in the best hands to get myself in the best possible shape for my age."
Limond also revealed two rising Mexican stars will appear on the bill, brought over by former WBA, WBO and IBF welterweight champion Antonio Margarito.
It has come about due to his friendship with his former opponent, Erik Morales - the first Mexican-born boxer in history to win world titles in four different weight classes.
Paul Valenzuela Jr and Oliver Quintana will feature at Bellahouston, with Limond saying Quintana has "blown them out of the water over there" with seven knockouts in 10 matches.
"These two are touted as being the next best things in Mexico and the Scottish public have got a chance to see them first, before anyone else," the Scot explained.
"They're really screaming about them, especially Quintana; they're saying he's the next [Marco] Barrera - he's absolutely amazing."
"It's something different, we just want to bring different fighters in."
After 17 years as a professional who appears to have found a renewed love for his sport, Limond is not sure when he will will hang up his gloves.
"It may be my last year, maybe no," he debated, "I'll see after January and then after March where I'm at - Peter will tell me if he thinks I should call it a day.
"But my last three fights I've been getting better each fight, I just hope I'm getting better for this next one and the one after that.
"Just feels like there's a plan in place now. Instead of waiting for the phone to go, we're on our own path."


Prosecutors in Poland have denied explosive traces were found on the jet which crashed two years ago, killing President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others.

Colonel Ireneusz Szelag of the military prosecutor's office said no traces of TNT or nitroglycerine had been found on the plane, which crashed in Russia.
He was responding to a report in the Rzeczpospolita daily newspaper.
Polish right-wingers have accused the government of ignoring evidence of outside involvement in the disaster.
Russian investigators who conducted the inquiry into the crash blamed the Polish crew of the Tu-154 government airliner for trying to land in heavy fog at the airport in Smolensk.
Polish counterparts said the controllers at the airport in Smolensk should not have allowed the plane to attempt an approach.
The loss of the plane, which had been carrying top Polish officials to a commemoration of the Soviet massacre of Polish officers at Katyn during World War II, traumatised Poland.
One of the abiding images of the tragedy was the then Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, solemnly embracing his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, when he visited the crash site.
Last month, Polish investigators travelled to Smolensk to examine the wreckage of the plane.
According to Rzeczpospolita, they found traces of TNT and nitroglycerine on 30 seats and in the middle section of the plane. "There was so much of the chemicals that one of the devices went off the scale," the newspaper said in an article published in Monday.
In response, Polish opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the twin brother of Lech, called for Mr Tusk to resign.
However, Col Szelag told a news conference later on Tuesday: "It is not true that investigators found traces of TNT or nitroglycerine.
"Evidence and opinions collected so far have in no way provided support to the belief that the crash was a result of actions by third parties, that is to say an assassination."
He also pointed out that equipment used to detect TNT could react in a similar way to soil, perfume or everyday objects.
Moscow and Warsaw came under criticism over their handling of the Smolensk investigation after Polish prosecutors admitted last month that families of two of the victims had received and buried the wrong remains.
The military said on Tuesday that two more bodies had been misidentified.
The remains of one of the two victims were those of the last Polish president-in-exile, Ryszard Kaczorowski, who had been buried in the grave of another, unidentified victim in a Warsaw cemetery.
It had been thought that Mr Kaczorowski's remains were buried in the city's Temple of Divine Providence, but DNA tests have confirmed an error was made.
The exhumation of victims of the Smolensk crash, with prosecutors saying there may be more to come, has caused the Polish government considerable embarrassment and their families' renewed anguish, the BBC's Adam Easton reports from Warsaw.


Cardiff Blues have signed former Australia prop Salesi Ma'afu following his release by French club Toulon.

Ma'afu, 32, left the European champions by mutual agreement after being found guilty of assault and given a suspended four-month prison sentence last month.
In a statement, Blues said Ma'afu had joined "with immediate effect - subject to the normal visa process".
"We are thrilled to sign Salesi and welcome him to Cardiff Blues," said head coach Danny Wilson.
"He is a powerful prop forward. He has a fantastic pedigree in the game."
Ex-Northampton Saints forward Ma'afu, brother of former Cardiff Blues player Campese, switched codes from rugby league to union as a youngster.
He made his senior international debut for Australia against Fiji in 2007 and went on to earn 14 caps and played at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Sydney-born Ma'afu joined Northampton in 2013 and helped the club win the English Premiership title and the European Challenge Cup in 2014.
But he missed the Challenge Cup final after getting a one-week ban for punching Leicester's Tom Youngs.
In February this year Ma'afu was also banned for two weeks after striking London Irish's Tom Court, before signing for Toulon in June.
The Blues currently lie 10th in the Pro12 with 14 points from their first nine games, and second in Challenge Cup Pool 3 after Thursday's 23-22 loss in Montpellier.


One of the by-products of Pisa international comparisons in Wales has been the introduction of annual literacy and numeracy tests.

Introduced in 2013, it was hoped they would help improve matters after the 2010 rankings saw Welsh pupils falling behind.
But what effect have the tests had in the classroom, and will they work?
We asked three generations of a family from Newport.
THE GRANDPARENT
John Healy was head teacher at two primary schools in Monmouthshire before helping to improve school performance across south east Wales.
He says the "testing culture" in Wales is affecting some pupils' wellbeing.
"I would define the action that was put in place as almost punitive," he said.
He feels the "richness" of the curriculum has been "put on hold" to improve Pisa performance and says measuring how far individual pupils have improved would be more beneficial.
"Some children come into school and they're not fully toilet trained with significant speech and language difficulties," he said.
"They can make enormous progress in schools with the good work that teachers do, but that's not necessarily measured because they might not meet the 'age norm' expectation."
After several decades in the education system, does he think the current, regular testing system will improve our Pisa performance?
"Yes" he says, with a wry smile, but there might be a catch.
"You could argue that we may well improve our test performance... but does that give us better all-round individuals?
"Creative children, children who are going to be good digitally, entrepreneurial children who are going to develop our businesses in future?
"Or are we going to have a generation of disaffected pupils who have become disengaged, disillusioned and demoralised by the effect of continual testing year after year?
"That's the educational diet they've been brought up on, and we need to ask ourselves are we producing well rounded individuals who will be life-long learners."
THE PUPIL
Sixteen-year-old Callum is in Year 11 in school and like other pupils across Wales he is  now tested at the end of each year on numeracy and literacy.
He said: "When I was in Year 8, the teachers were told they had to integrate numeracy into all their lessons... it wasn't really beneficial, it was kind of forced upon us and the teachers.
"Then, in Year 9, quite of lot of emphasis was put on [the annual tests] by the teachers.
"In the weeks leading up to the national tests, our normal curriculum was dropped and we focussed solely on doing Pisa-style questions.
"Our teachers were worried that we were going to be selected, so we went through a fair bit of how the Pisa test worked and what they were.
"I'd say there are a fair few people who do get worried and anxious about these tests, some who did work harder and paid attention due to the test, but there were also people who didn't really bother.
"I think it [testing] is useful in high school, comprehensive school, it helps us prepare for GCSEs, but I don't really see the point in tests being used in primary school."
THE PARENT
Callum's mother, Kath Hall, says her son has always achieved the grades expected of him, but feels there are more tests than in her day, and more data for parents to consider.
"There seems to be a lot more tests, not just in the summer... there always seems to be one coming up," she said.
"It does seem very confusing as a parent to understand what all these levels mean really... I do go to each parents' evening and ask what do these numbers mean, what level should he be at?
"It's just kind of overwhelming as a parent."
Asked if she takes any reassurance from such detailed information about her sons's education, she said: "Not a huge amount. I find it very confusing. What is the data being used for?
"If it's being used to say Wales is underperforming in comparison to England, are we comparing like with like?
"We've got a very different curriculum in Wales - we've got the Foundation Phase, we've got Welsh language schools, it's not a direct comparison to me."


People are being invited to give their views on plans for a permanent site for Travellers and Gypsies in Powys.

Powys council revealed its preferred site, the cemetery car park on Newtown Road, at a Machynlleth town council meeting last month.
An engagement event takes place at Machynlleth bowling club on Monday from 14:00 GMT until 18:00.
Powys council officers will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions.
Machynlleth is one of three areas in the county deemed to need a travellers' site to meet rules set out by the Welsh Government.
An assessment carried out last year found sites were also required in Brecon and Welshpool, but Machynlleth has been described by Powys council "as an immediate or urgent need".
People will be able to provide comments formally on the proposed development when the council submits a planning application.


Celtic will face Zalgiris Vilnius or Astana in the Champions League third qualifying round if they overturn their deficit against Lincoln Red Imps.

The Scottish champions went down 1-0 in Gibraltar in Tuesday's first leg.
Wales' The New Saints, who are at 0-0 after their first leg against Apoel Nicosia, have been drawn against Rosenborg or IFK Norrkoping.
Northern Ireland's Crusaders or FC Copenhagen will face Astra Giurgiu. The Danes won 3-0 in Belfast.
The return leg in Copenhagen is on Tuesday, the same night as The New Saints' visit to Cyprus, with Celtic hosting Lincoln Red Imps on Wednesday.
Lithuanian side Zalgiris and Astana are tied at 0-0 ahead of the deciding leg of their tie in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, while Norwegians Rosenborg lead Norrkoping 3-1 going into their second leg in Sweden, also on Wednesday.
Romanian champions Astra Giurgiu enter the competition at the third qualifying round, which will be played over 26-27 July (first leg) and 2-3 August (second leg).
Reacting to the draw, Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong said: "We'll focus on each game as it comes and we've got a good friendly tomorrow [against Wolfsburg] and an important game on Wednesday.
"We can't just turn up and expect to win [against Lincoln Red Imps]. We will have to fight for it and they will be fighting for it too."
The winners of the third qualifying round progress to the Champions League play-off round - the last knockout phase before the group stage.
Losing sides in the third qualifying round drop into the Europa League play-off round.
And winners at the Champions League play-off stage progress to the group stage with beaten sides entering the Europa League group stage.


Twenty-eight pets needed treatment last year after swallowing corn on the cob, according to vet charity the PDSA.

It was the third most common item pets need treatment for after swallowing, with only bones (59) and stones (29) proving to be more hazardous.
PDSA vets dealt with 398 cases in total in 2015, with surgically removed items including toy balls, dummies and socks.
The charity warned owners to keep anything dangerous or easy to swallow "out of paws' reach".
Bradford topped the list of places which saw the highest number of incidents requiring treatment, with 33 in a year. Glasgow was second (23), followed by Gateshead (19).
An American bulldog called Hooch required treatment after eating a corn on the cob husk from a bin.
Owner Sarah Baldwin, from Elland, West Yorkshire, said: "The next day he wasn't himself at all.
"He was sick, he wasn't eating and didn't want to walk."
Hooch had emergency surgery and was discharged two days later.
Rebecca Ashman, a PDSA vet, said: "Pets, especially puppies and younger dogs, like to use their mouth to investigate objects as well as to eat.
"Sometimes a pet will swallow an item by mistake, even though they had only meant to investigate it."
She added: "We might think it's comical but in some cases it is incredibly dangerous and can even prove fatal."


American Floyd Mayweather has defended picking Andre Berto as his opponent in what could be his last fight.

The unbeaten champion faces compatriot Berto (30-3) in Las Vegas on 12 September, and would extend his winning run to 49 fights with victory.
Berto, a 31-year-old former world champion, was a surprise choice having lost three of his past six fights.
But Mayweather, 38, told a news conference: "I chose Berto because he's very exciting."
The final match-up of a six-fight deal with broadcaster Showtime, this could be WBC and WBA welterweight champion Mayweather's final time in the ring.
Many critics accused Mayweather of picking an easy fight on which to cement his unbeaten legacy.
"Berto is a tough competitor, a former world champion. Every time he goes out he gives it 100%," said Mayweather.
"He's been given backlash. I've been given backlash. But Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit."
Berto's trainer, Virgil Hunter, also defended Mayweather's choice of opponent.
He said: "When you look at that weight division, only one stands out, the rest is opinions. Andre Berto is deserving of this opportunity."
Berto, who said he was not surprised to be chosen to fight Mayweather, was more philosophical.
He said: "We should probably have had this fight a few years back but everything happens for a reason and the time is now."
Meanwhile, Britain's George Groves will fight Sweden's Badou Jack on the undercard for the WBC super-middleweight title.
It will be the English fighter's third world title challenge, following two losses to Carl Froch.
"It will be third time lucky this time," the 27-year-old said.


Annual house price inflation hit 10.5% in May, the highest rate for four years, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

That is up from 9.9% in the previous month.
Once again, the market was in large part driven by London, where house prices rose by a record 20.1% over the year.
But excluding London and the South East, prices rose by a much more modest 6.4% across the UK.
Prices were up in every region, except for Northern Ireland, where they fell by 0.7%.
In England, prices rose by 11%, in Wales prices were up by 6.5%, and in Scotland they rose by 3.6%.
According to the ONS index, the average price of a house across the UK is now Â£262,000.
"Annual house price growth of 20.1% is borderline insane, but there are signs that the capital started to cool slightly in June and July," said Jonathan Samuels, the chief executive of Dragonfly Property Finance.
The housing charity Shelter said the only answer was more house-building.
"Once again these figures show that house prices are spinning out of control, putting a stable home even further out of reach for ordinary families," said Campbell Robb, Shelter's chief executive.
"Instead scores of people are either stuck in their childhood bedrooms or forced to bring up children in unstable and expensive rented homes, however hard they work or save," he said.


Inter Milan have signed Croatia striker Ivan Perisic from German side Wolfsburg for reported £14.5m.

The 26-year-old, who scored 18 goals in 70 Bundesliga starts, has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A club.
"I had a good time in Wolfsburg and I would like to thank them for making my move to Italy possible," Perisic said.
He was the second high-profile departure from Wolfsburg over the weekend, after midfielder Kevin De Bruyne joined Manchester City for £55m.
Perisic, who signed for Wolfsburg from Borussia Dortmund in 2013, has been capped 38 times by his country, scoring nine goals.


Martin McGuinness, former IRA leader turned peacemaker, has confirmed he will not stand in the Northern Ireland Assembly election.

He quit as deputy first minister in a row over a botched green energy scheme, sparking an election on 2 March.
He had been in the post since entering NI's power-sharing assembly in 2007 with ex-political enemy Ian Paisley.
Mr McGuinness, 66, has been ill for a number of weeks and said this was a factor in his decision.
Mr McGuinness told the BBC that he had faced a "big decision" over his future and that he will never again be "an elected representative" in politics.
"The question I ask myself is: Are you capable, are you physically capable, of fighting this election with the intensity that elections need to be fought?
"And the honest answer is that I am not physically capable or able to fight this election, so I will not be a candidate."
He added that his successor as Sinn Féin's leader in Northern Ireland would be announced "next week".
Prime Minister Theresa May said Mr McGuinness "played a key role in moving the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means",
"I want to send him best wishes for his retirement," she added. "We will all continue to work to make sure that the people of Northern Ireland are able to live freely and in peace."
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster, who lost her position as first minister when Mr McGuinness resigned, said that he had been a "major figure" in Stormont.
"While never forgetting the past, I believe the work at Stormont provided the foundations for our relative peace today.
"Despite all that has happened, I wish Martin McGuinness a speedy recovery and that he and his wife are able to enjoy time with their family away from the relentless focus of public life."
Former first minister Peter Robinson, who worked with Mr McGuinness at the head of Northern Ireland's government for seven years, said: "We came from polar opposite backgrounds but built up a relationship based on doing the best we could for all our people."
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny said that while he and Mr McGuinness "may not always have seen eye-to-eye on every issue" he would "readily acknowledge the remarkable political journey that he has undertaken".
Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire said he was "sorry to hear" about Mr McGuinness' decision.
Details of Mr McGuinness' condition have not been disclosed officially by Sinn Féin but Irish national broadcaster RTÉ has reported that he has a rare heart condition.
Mr McGuinness said the illness had taken its toll but that he was "determined to defeat it".
"I'm also very determined to continue to play a political role - it won't be an electoral role although in the election I will be wholeheartedly behind the Sinn Féin candidates and the new leadership."
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams expressed his "heartfelt thanks" to Mr McGuinness and said he needs to take "time out to get better for himself, for his family and for our struggle".
"On behalf of Sinn Féin and republicans everywhere I want to send him our best wishes.
"Give him the space to get better and (we'll) increase our efforts so that when he returns the process of change has advanced."
Mr McGuinness resigned in protest after former first minister Arlene Foster refused to step aside for an investigation into a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
The row over the scheme surfaced a range of other issues, including the Irish language and gay rights, that divide Northern Ireland's two power-sharing parties - the DUP, led by Mrs Foster, and Sinn Féin.
Mr McGuinness' resignation, and Sinn Féin's refusal to nominate a replacement seven days later, has led to a snap Northern Ireland Assembly election on 2 March and the fall of the Northern Ireland government institutions.
The former deputy first minister said the institutions are "restorable" after March's election but it will pose "particular challenges to everybody, but more so the DUP".
During his interview with the BBC, Mr McGuinness said he was disappointed that the "reaching out I had done", such as meeting the Queen in 2012, were not reciprocated by the DUP.
"I don't actually remember the last time I ever heard a member of the DUP use the word reconciliation," he said.
He added that a "particular disappointment" was that Mrs Foster turned down an offer to attend both a Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football match with him at last year's European Championships.
"They refused to go. I wasn't asking her to go to a 1916 commemoration, it was a football match, it was an opportunity to reach out. Arlene went to the Northern Ireland match and I went to both."


Police in Spain are questioning a man suspected of being the ringleader of a gang that eats thousands of euros of food at restaurants before fleeing.

Two restaurants in the north-west are thought to have been targeted by the group of up to 160 people in February.
Bills adding up to 12,000 euros were not paid, and police are investigating whether the cases are linked.
The arrested man, reported by media to be Romanian, could face fraud charges as well as a claim for damages.
In the first case, the group, purporting to be celebrating a baptism, paid a deposit of €900 ($950; £770) to eat at the El Carmen restaurant in Bembibre, in the north-western Castile and Leon region.
They consumed €2,000 of food and drink before running away, it was reported last week.
It then emerged that El Rincon de Pepin, a restaurant 10km (six miles) away in Ponferrada, fell victim to a similar trick in mid-February.
Restaurant owner Laura Arias said the group told her they were celebrating a wedding and ordered a fairly basic menu. They paid €1,000 as a deposit, but consumed €10,000 of food and drink.
"There were 160 of them and they all disappeared. Suddenly. Within five minutes," Laura told the BBC.
The arrested man posed as the godfather of the baptised child and the father of the groom when he made the bookings, the Diario de Leon newspaper reported (in Spanish).


Described by the former British cabinet minister Vince Cable as "sunny places for shady people", tax havens are much maligned.

It's thought the total sum hidden away in low-tax, low-regulation jurisdictions around the world could be $21tn (£13.5tn) - as much as the total annual economic output of the United States and Japan combined.
Barack Obama and other world leaders have vowed to crack down on tax havens. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has pressed for greater transparency about how they operate. The European Commission has called for greater information-sharing about tax deals by EU national governments.
Four experts talk to the BBC World Service Inquiry programme about why, despite this growing opposition, tax havens continue to prosper.
British-born lawyer Anthony Travers moved to the Cayman Islands 40 years ago, and is now chairman of the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.
"The expression 'tax haven' in relation to the Cayman Islands is hopelessly outmoded.
"The reason why corporations go to the Cayman Islands is not necessarily to avoid tax. [They] will pay taxes in the jurisdictions in which taxes are due to be paid. Corporations, particularly hedge funds, that trade out of the Cayman Islands domicile there for various other reasons relating to quality of the legislation, stability, absence of intrusive regulation.
"This delusion that there's some pot of offshore gold sitting in the Cayman Islands needs to be dealt with comprehensively.
"There is no pot of gold sitting offshore. Monies in Cayman Island hedge funds or private equity vehicles are invested and reinvested and they're certainly not sitting in the Cayman Islands in any way, shape or form.
"Since all this legislation providing transparency was introduced over a decade ago, what we haven't actually seen from the Cayman Islands is any instances of major frauds or tax evasion."
Accountant Richard Murphy founded the Tax Justice Network to campaign against tax havens.
"Tax havens are now serving a different purpose from tax abuse. The tax abuse is to some degree, in some of them certainly, virtually history, and it certainly isn't why large companies are now using them.
"Regulation is still stacking up in favour of large companies hiding away from view in these places, so they can get away, commercially, with lower costs than they could otherwise achieve.
"Let's be clear about what tax havens or secrecy jurisdictions mean when they say they have complied with regulation. The regulation that takes place in a tax haven is different from the regulation that might, for example, take place in the UK or Germany.
"In countries like the UK, if we say something is regulated, it takes place here and is regulated here. The characteristic of a tax haven is the transactions that are recorded there take place elsewhere. That means that whilst the tax havens are very good at regulating what takes place within them, the truth is that almost nothing takes place within them.
"Suppose we have a company that is registered in the Cayman Islands, but which trades in the UK. If the UK wanted to ask a question about that company, first of all it has to find a good reason why it needs the information, and secondly the Cayman Islands have to have a good reason to link that company to the UK.
"But if you're trying to actually open up the fact that there is a trade recorded in Cayman but happening [in the UK], you've got to be able to identify both ends, but the whole structure of it is designed not to. And also Cayman, when it undertakes its regulation, only asks about what happens in Cayman.
"Successive governments have believed it worthwhile for the City of London - and, bluntly, Wall Street - to have the advantage of having part of their activity beyond regulation, so that they could compete in ways which are considered to be innovative and which make money for the world financial markets beyond the regulatory environment.
"It is down to politicians to decide: is that a risk still worth taking? They've got to take on the vested interests in their own jurisdictions, the large companies and so on who still use tax havens."
British opposition MP Margaret Hodge chaired the powerful Public Accounts Committee for five years and highlighted legal tax avoidance. She clashed with many companies including Amazon, Starbucks and Google, whom she accused of using "smoke and mirrors" to avoid paying tax.
"What really amazed me was the resonance this whole agenda has with people wherever they are, whatever their age, whatever their gender, whatever their race, whatever their socio-economic class.
"Everybody thinks it's not fair that they should be paying tax, whilst if you're a very rich individual or if you're a big global international company you get away with finding devices which allow you to aggressively avoid the legitimate payment of taxation. It really has hit a very, very raw nerve."
It emerged that the US company Google was minimising its tax in Britain and other countries by recording most of its foreign sales - and thereby earning almost all its foreign income - in Ireland, then legally channelling it, via the Netherlands, to Bermuda, where very little tax is paid. That was possible, not just because of Bermuda's tax regime but also because of Irish and Dutch regulations which allow profits to leave their shores.
"It's Holland, it's Switzerland, it's increasingly Britain, it's Luxembourg, all these countries believe by offering low tax or the possibility of tax avoidance for global companies, they'll attract more business in.
"My point on that is that they're not really attracting business. People are shifting profits without really bringing businesses in, and therefore the world loses the tax revenue and the only people who gain are the private businesses.
"One of the interesting things that I am told has happened since we started raising these issues and the whole issue went viral, is that tax has become an issue that is discussed at board level, not just as a nuisance, you know, 'how can we minimise the tax we pay?', but as a reputational issue.
"I think the damage that's been done to Starbucks, to Google, to Amazon frightens lots of the directors sitting in board rooms today."
Former philosopher and management consultant Jamie Whyte led New Zealand's free market political party ACT, which failed to gain any seats at the 2014 general election.
"I am a fan of tax havens, because they keep other governments honest. It's a matter of competition. A tax haven basically exploits the fact that many people in other countries want to pay less tax. And if that weren't possible, and if there were no tax havens, there would be far less constraint on how much mainstream governments could tax their population.
"I'm not suggesting it's democratic. But I think it's a very healthy constraint on some of the uglier aspects of democracy. If you found yourself, a Christian, facing a mob in a Middle Eastern country, and you found that you could hide in a church, and for some reason the population still respected the sanctity of the church, and so it was a haven for you, I think you'd be very glad of that church.
"Of course it's not democratic: the mob far outnumbers you. But until quite recently, no theorists of democracy ever believed that it should be untrammelled, that simply because a majority of people want your money they have a right to it. So I celebrate the anti-democratic aspects of tax havens.
"The US has put a lot of pressure on Switzerland recently, They can say: 'If Swiss banks don't give information to the US government about the accounts of Americans with these banks, they will cancel their banking licence in the US'. That's a way of applying an enormous cost to the tax haven.
"That works in the case of Switzerland. It might be much harder to do in the case of Malta or Gibraltar, because that may not cost them that much. I suspect that they'll never be able to eliminate all tax havens.  If you drive several countries out of the tax haven business, you make the rewards to the countries that stay in the tax haven business even greater.
"[And the reputational damage argument] really only affects retail companies, Starbucks, Google and the like. They're a fraction of the companies in the world. There are many, many companies - consulting firms, law firms, you name it - who in that sense are under the radar. Nobody in the public has any idea what their tax affairs are."
The Inquiry is broadcast on the BBC World Service on Tuesdays at 12:05 GMT/13:05 BST. Listen online or download the podcast.


CCTV monitoring in the Dyfed-Powys police area should stop after a review found the cameras do not deter crime, a police and crime commissioner says.

The report concluded that police should instead support the use of unmonitored cameras and more mobile CCTV systems.
It also found the removal of cameras in the area did not result in significant rises in crime.
The review comes as many local councils are reducing CCTV funding due to financial pressures.
The inquiry was carried out on behalf of Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, who now recommends:
The recommendations will be discussed with the chief constable and council leaders before changes are made.


Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has not given up hope of winning his second Open Championship, despite struggling in adverse weather at Royal Troon.

The world number four had a creditable level-par 71 but trails halfway leader Phil Mickelson by eight shots.
Mickelson played his second round in relatively benign conditions to post 10 under before the weather deteriorated on the west coast of Scotland.
"I feel like it's possible but I need a fast start," said McIlroy.
"It depends on what the conditions are like. Depending on what direction the wind comes from, you've seen guys shoot six under par on the front nine.
"But it's the Open Championship - some draws go your way, some draws don't."
McIlroy, 27, won the Open in 2014 but missed last year's tournament because of an ankle injury.
He said: "The last Open I played, I got the good end of the draw and good things happened.
"I'm not going to let being on the wrong side of the draw ruin my week. I feel like I've played really well and that gives me optimism going into the weekend.
"It's the best I've seen Phil play in a long, long time. But I've given people head starts before and been able to win. I'll try to draw on those memories."
However, in 164 starts on the European Tour, McIlroy has never come from a five-shot deficit at halfway to win the tournament.
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England's Justin Rose was unable to hide his frustration after a six-over 77 left him only one shot inside the cut line, which fell at four over par.
"I quickly realised that the top of the leaderboard was unattainable," said the 2013 US Open champion.
"Our group were just about making the cut, which tells you how tough it was. It was like we were playing in our own mini tournament."
In fact, only two of Rose's group made the cut - world number three Jordan Spieth finished right on the line but Ireland's Shane Lowry finished seven over, although it was a 78 on Thursday that did the damage.
"I played great," said Lowry. "I was like (wrestler) Hulk Hogan yesterday and (golfing great) Ben Hogan today."
Two-time major winner Spieth said Friday's conditions might have been the worst he had played in.
"When I looked up on the 16th I saw sheets of water moving sideways and I can't remember seeing the wind move a ball that much," said the 22-year-old American.
"We might have caught the rough end of the draw. That happens. I tried to smile but you wish your score doesn't matter when you play in weather like this.
"You wish this was just a round with your buddies where you go into the clubhouse and have one or seven pints afterwards. But I certainly can't blame my chances on the draw. My game is not major championship-winning calibre."
Masters champion Danny Willett holed a 12-foot par putt at the last to sneak into the weekend, also on four over par.
"That's up there with the toughest conditions I've ever played in," said the Englishman, who shot a second-round 75.
"We played almost every hole into the wind as the wind direction switched around the turn. Anyone who's under par on our side of the draw has played some great golf."
World number one Jason Day said he went through four gloves in the space of half an hour, as 40mph gusts howled in off the Firth of Clyde and blew the rain almost horizontal.
"That's by far the worst conditions I've played in, it was atrocious," said the US PGA champion.
"Unfortunately the guys in the morning had the advantage over the first two days, which it totally fine. You get lucky in the Open Championship."
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My Olympic year is off - and while I'm delighted with a confidence-boosting win at my opening race of this important season in Cape Town, I didn't see that victory coming!

The Team GB women's triathlon squad is now finalised for Rio and the strength of our team is such that the incredible Jodie Stimpson, who finished second to me in South Africa, didn't even make the Olympic team.
The last couple of weeks have been tough for Jodie but for her to put that disappointment to one side and get herself on the podium in Cape Town is nothing short of inspirational.
There was always going to be one person that was going to be left heartbroken, I know Jodie is gutted and my heart goes out to her.
But I can't commend her enough, she has conducted herself wonderfully and been so supportive towards us and the tough decision that was made last week.
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So it's fellow Welsh girl Helen Jenkins, my trusty housemate Vicky Holland and yours truly that will make up the strong team who'll line up for Great Britain against the world's best in Rio on August 20.
To put into context how strong a team we are going to Brazil, we've three world titles between us and a British girl has won all three of the ITU World Triathlon Series events so far this year - and we've also enjoyed another two podium finishes.
That's not to mention the men's team of the imperious Brownlee brothers, who have an Olympic gold and numerous world titles between them.
It's great to be part of this team. The atmosphere is fantastic. We push each other on to better performances and I strongly believe in the mantra of success breeds success.
We're pushing each other on to keep delivering the goods. Any one of us girls can take the top step on the podium at Rio.
Who knows who will be the strongest on the day? The three of us will work well together. We will work to the mutual benefit of everyone to try and deliver that medal for Great Britain - that is the aim.
I'm not getting caught up by the fact Wednesday marks 100 days to go until my first Olympics begins.
If you keep worrying about 100 days to go, 50 days to go etc then you get a bit excited and nervous and start to feel the pressure.
I try just to focus on the plan that we've got and the training that I'm doing. I know it sounds boring but I'm taking each week as it comes.
We're not going to do anything radical to the training. If it's worked previously, we don't want to do anything different this year.
My coach keeps telling me that if you do an ordinary thing every day then you have an extraordinary performance at the end of it.
My run and my bike are quite strong although there's definite improvement to be made in both if I want to be on that podium in Rio. But I think they will come naturally as I step up my training.
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The swim has been my focus all winter and it's really important for me to make sure I'm a front pack swimmer, especially in Rio.
It was a tough and physical swim in Cape Town. A British girl had won the race for the previous two years so I was happy to be able to keep that tradition going.
I loved being back out there. The first race was all about blowing out the cobwebs and going through my processes, like remembering to put the wetsuit in a box!
There's still a lot of hard work to be done. I'm probably at 85% to 90%.
I've only done two or three really quality bike sessions so far - and because I tore my calf back in January, I haven't done that much quality running yet.
There's a lot more room for improvement considering the lack of quality training I've done. So watch this space!


Questions are being sought for a BBC Radio Scotland studio debate in the build-up to the general election in June.

The debate will feature candidates in the Banff and Buchan constituency.
Questions for the panel can be sent to NorthEastDebate@bbc.co.uk.
Contact details should also be provided.


A 72-year-old pedestrian has died following a collision involving two cars in Monmouthshire.

The man was hit on the A466 Wye Valley Link Road in Newhouse, Chepstow, at about 17:00 GMT on Tuesday.
The road was closed in both directions between the M48, junction 2 (Newhouse Interchange) and A48 / Fair View (Highbeech roundabout).
Gwent Police said it would remain closed for several hours.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said a rapid response car and an air ambulance from Filton airfield, near Bristol, were sent to the scene but the man was pronounced dead.


A Canadian company operating in the North Sea has been forced to restructure its debt following the fall in the oil price.

Iona Energy raised $275m (Â£176m) in bond finance last year.
In the face of technical problems and a sharp fall in crude oil prices, the company is warning that it may break the bond covenants or conditions.
Iona Energy has faced interruption to supply through the gas pipeline system connected to the Huntington field.
The field, 127 miles (205km) east of Aberdeen, began production last year.
The Canadian-owned firm has a 15% share in that field, which is operated by E.ON with a 25% share. Premier Oil and Noreco have also invested.
In addition, there is a delay in the start to production from the Orlando field, also in the central North Sea and close to the Ninian Central platform.
Iona Energy has a 75% stake in that field, and is the operator of it.
As part of the new management team, executive officer Tom Reynolds commented: "The Company is working on a range of measures to safeguard the position of all stakeholders.
"Our strategy is to strengthen and diversify our production base through acquisition which will also facilitate an orderly refinancing of the bonds.
"We continue to see robust support from lead RBL banks to support the range of transactional opportunities we are reviewing."
The news comes as oil companies and service providers are cutting staff and investment to save money.
Robin Allan, chairman of the independent explorers' association Brindex, told the BBC that the industry was "close to collapse".


Flood-damaged flats in Newcastle which are close to collapse are likely to be demolished, engineers have said.

Floodwater gouged out ground beneath Spencer Court, Newburn, on Tuesday, exposing the piles holding it up and badly damaging foundations.
Residents attending a public meeting reacted angrily to the news the flats might have to be pulled down.
On Thursday two further blocks of council flats were evacuated amid fears Spencer Court could collapse.
By Peter HarrisLook North
At a heated public meeting residents were shocked to be told the Spencer Court flats in Newburn are set to be demolished.
An engineer working for Northumberland Estates said an inspection this afternoon revealed they are likely to be beyond saving.
However, the homeowners said that was the first they had heard of demolition plans.
The mood in the meeting at Walbottle School hall became increasingly tense as locals vented anger at having worthless houses.
They suggested homes should never have been built there.
Residents of Hareside Walk and Hareside Close had been allowed home but were asked to leave again.
Housing company Your Homes Newcastle - which manages council housing for Newcastle City Council - said it took the decision in the interests of residents' safety.
Mick Murphy, technical director at Newcastle City Council, said after the meeting: "Engineers assessments say that it's unsafe and probably unsafe to try and repair."
Kate Scaife, who lives in Spencer Court, said: "To find out in a public meeting was shocking. To everybody else it's bricks and mortar, but to us it's home and it hurts."
Caroline Charlton, who lives in Mill Vale, said: "There's a lot of upset people and for us poor residents we're going to be stuck in the middle of a long legal battle between landowners.
"Who would want to buy our houses? They're lovely homes but who would take the risk? I certainly wouldn't."
Paul Nicholson, also lives in Mill Vale, he said: "We've had enough upheaval over the last few months, we need to walk away from this now because I've got a five-year-old and a one-year-old and I don't feel that it's safe anymore."
A culvert near the damaged flats collapsed in May but the force of floodwater on Monday eroded soil and a waterfall formed close to the flats.
Developer Dunelm Homes owns the land on which the homes stand, while the culvert is on land owned by Northumberland Estates.
Neither company has accepted liability.
Northumberland Estates said it was working hard to find a long-term solution but said there was little it could do "in the face of such very extreme weather conditions until the culvert can be cleared".
Dunelm Homes said it was attending emergency meetings and providing whatever assistance and support it could.
Mr Murphy said the flats at Spencer Court were "extremely unstable".
Engineers for Northumberland Estates told the public meeting an inspection had been carried out and the report was expected to confirm the flats are beyond saving.
Greg Blyth, a resident of Spencer Court, said earlier: "I don't think they should have built on this ground.
"The whole place needs knocking down because it's very, very unsafe and it's a matter of time before everything does go."
Newcastle City Council, which said planning permission had been given because the plans were right for the ground, is looking at how well the culvert was maintained.
Mr Murphy added: "You can build in most places as long as you take the right engineering steps. An engineer has taken account of poor ground because they've used those long piles."
Northumbria Police made the decision to evacuate the area on Tuesday after what the Met Office called the most intense September storms for 30 years.
Residents of Mill Vale were allowed back in for a short time to collect valuables on Wednesday.


Jockey Bryan Cooper faces another lay-off after fracturing his pelvis at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.

The Irishman will be out for six to eight weeks after being unseated from Arkwrisht in a beginners' chase.
"It is a rare injury, but the horse came right down on his pelvis," said Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick.
Cooper, 24, has been plagued by injury and only recently returned having fractured an arm in October.
He was also left with a partially collapsed lung after a fall at the Galway Festival in July.
Cooper fractured his tibia and fibula at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival and broke his leg at at Down Royal in May 2013.
The number one rider for Gigginstown House Stud won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Don Cossack in March.
He also enjoyed Grade One success on Thursday with Petit Mouchoir in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.


President Barack Obama has urged Democrats of all ethnic backgrounds to get out and vote for Hillary Clinton, warning that the fate of the US republic - and the world - is at stake.

He said her Republican opponent Donald Trump was a threat to hard-earned civil rights.
President Obama was speaking at a rally in North Carolina.
Mr Trump said Mr Obama should stop campaigning for Mrs Clinton and focus on running the country.
"The bottom line is, no-one wants four more years of Obama," he told supporters in Pensacola, Florida.
He said Mrs Clinton had become "unhinged" in recent days.
"The fate of the republic rests on your shoulders," President Obama told supporters in the key battleground state of North Carolina.
"The fate of the world is teetering and you, North Carolina, are going to have to make sure that we push it in the right direction.
"I am not on the ballot, but I tell you what - fairness is on the ballot; decency is on the ballot; justice is on the ballot; progress is on the ballot; our democracy is on the ballot."
The FBI is now investigating new emails that may be linked to its probe into Mrs Clinton's private email server.
The agency's director, James Comey, has faced a fierce backlash for announcing the move just 11 days before the presidential election.
Earlier, Mr Obama implicitly criticised him over the new inquiry into Mrs Clinton's email use.
In an interview with website NowThisNew, published on Wednesday, Mr Obama said US investigations should not operate on the basis of "innuendo" or "incomplete information".
Mr Obama's remarks were his first public comments since Mr Comey's announcement on Friday that the FBI had discovered a new batch of emails that might or might not be relevant to an earlier, closed investigation into Mrs Clinton's handling of classified information.
"I do think that there is a norm that when there are investigations we don't operate on innuendo, we don't operate on incomplete information, we don't operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made," said Mr Obama.
"When this was investigated thoroughly the last time, the conclusion of the FBI, the conclusion of the justice department, the conclusion of repeated congressional investigations was that she had made some mistakes but that there wasn't anything there that was prosecutable."
Who is ahead in the polls?
50%
Hillary Clinton
44%
Donald Trump
Last updated October 25, 2016
It emerged in March 2015 that Mrs Clinton had been breaking federal rules by operating a private email server while she was secretary of state from 2009-13.
Her lawyers combed through the server and provided the state department with 30,000 work-related emails, but her campaign deleted another 33,000 messages, saying they were personal in nature.
Mr Comey concluded in July that Mrs Clinton had been "extremely careless" in handling classified information, but there were no grounds for any charges.
The latest emails were found in a separate investigation into allegations that former congressman Anthony Weiner sent illicit text messages to a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina. Mr Weiner is married to one of Mrs Clinton's closest aides, Huma Abedin.
The FBI has reportedly obtained a warrant to search the cache of emails belonging to Ms Abedin, which are believed to have been found on her estranged husband's laptop.
There are reportedly 650,000 emails to search through on the laptop, but it is unclear who sent or received the emails or what they were about.
Democrats have angrily demanded that the embattled Mr Comey rapidly make public what the agency knows about the new email trove.


Barcelona forward Neymar will stay at the club - or at least that is the "intuition" of his team-mate Gerard Pique.

Paris St-Germain have reportedly met the Brazilian's 222m euro (£199m) release clause.
"From the conversations that I had with him, it's just my intuition that he'll stay - other than that obviously I hope that he stays," said Pique.
Neymar scored twice in Barcelona's 2-1 friendly win over Juventus on Saturday.
After the win, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde reiterated his desire to keep Neymar at the club.
Pique then posted a picture of him and Neymar on Twitter, with the caption 'Se queda' ('He stays'), but has since downplayed the post.
"We were in a relaxed atmosphere with other team-mates when we took that photo, and that's how that went. But in no way was that anything official.
"Firstly it's really not my business, and the person who has to decide that is Neymar."
Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano added that it is the "desire of the entire team" that Neymar remains at the Nou Camp.
"He's a hugely important player for us, more than just his quality as a soccer player, he has huge value, his personal qualities within the group," Mascherano said.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid defender Casemiro has responded to the idea of Neymar joining Barca's rivals.
"Of course here [at Real Madrid] he would be important, but he is at Barcelona and we can't forget that," he said.
Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos in 2013 and signed a new five-year contract until 2021 in October.


It feels a bit like Alice in Wonderland.

Politics in the UK turned inside out and upside down after last week's general election. Things that certainly were not going to happen (like Labour's Jeremy Corbyn doing well) did, while what was definitely expected to happen (a Tory majority for Theresa May) did not.
The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is scheduled a week from today: that long-awaited face-to-face meeting between the chief Brexit negotiators of the EU and the UK. The very first one since the UK voted to leave the European Union a year ago.
While fireworks and expletives may be ricocheting off the walls behind closed doors, in public both sides will put on their most serious expressions and make out that nothing has changed. At all.
Though, of course, it has.
With only seven days to go before the Brexit tea party guests sit down at the negotiating table, and with the clock ticking loudly on the limited time allowed for these talks under EU law, the UK is abuzz with cross-party debate about the most basic of basics - what kind of a Brexit this should be.
David Davis may be the UK's chief Brexit negotiator now, and he may trumpet his views loudly, but he could be out of a job in a week, or a month or a year. Along with his boss, the UK prime minister.
Brussels is sharply aware of that.
So everything Mr Davis agrees or disagrees with in talks with Brussels will be taken with a pinch of salt.
In fact, the EU insists that, when it comes to Brexit, "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed".
So only when all the divorce issues have been chewed over and debated by both sides, will the shape of the final Brexit deal become clear.
This is why, at the moment, there is very little appetite in EU circles to talk about Brexit and the political mess in the UK - on or even off the record.
EU leaders are keeping stumm, as one put it to me, because they feel it would be "suicidal" to be seen to intervene or offer advice to London.
They are waiting for the uncertainty to be clarified, and meanwhile proceeding with the timetable triggered by the UK's Article 50 letter - the formal notification given by Theresa May back in March, that the UK was leaving the EU.
What there is not here in Brussels or in Berlin, Paris or Rome, is a sense of schadenfreude at the UK prime minister's political own goal at the general election. Amongst EU leaders, that is; there is plenty of snickering and finger-pointing further down the political chain, and in the European press.
There is understanding, though precious little sympathy, in Brussels for the complicated mess the UK finds itself in. That has led to backroom talk of the possibility to extend negotiations beyond the two-year set limit - as long as all the 27 EU member states and European Parliament agree.
The UK could also withdraw its Article 50 letter, any time before the two-year negotiating period is up. Again, as long as there was unanimous acceptance amongst the so-called EU27 and European Parliament.
That option has just been described to me as "Europe's secret wish".
Of course, from the Brussels perspective, nothing would be a better advert for the value of EU membership than having what is perceived as a high-handed, recalcitrant, inherently eurosceptic UK choose to return to the European fold after all.
But there is zero expectation here that that is likely to happen.
The EU's working assumption is that Britain is leaving the EU.
As one high-level European contact of mine put it: no-one here is working on a Plan B.
As for whether it is a hard or soft-boiled, medium-rare or well-done Brexit, Brussels just rolls its eyes.
It is felt here that the texture and flavour of Brexit will only become apparent at the end of the negotiating process.
Until then, Brussels views all Brexit descriptions as political rhetoric, aimed at the British public by UK politicians as a means of political point-scoring rather than a serious element of Brexit negotiations.
But after all the vitriol during the UK's EU referendum campaign aimed against the European Court of Justice, the freedom of movement of EU citizens, regulations imposed by and payments made to Brussels, the EU is not expecting the UK to ask to remain a full member of the European single market (though perhaps the customs union).
The ball is firmly in Downing Street.
The EU says it's ready and waiting - as of yesterday.
One source commented that he's never seen Brussels so sanguine over a contentious issue.
For once, EU member states really are aligned and calm, he told me, We have done our homework and we are ready for Brexit. It's the Brits who have to sort themselves out.
In the meantime, the EU is concentrating on other pressing matters: security and defence, Russia, eurozone problems in Greece and the rule of law in Hungary and Poland.
The mood in Brussels is increasingly confident.
Not so much because of the UK's unstable Brexit position, but thanks to the electoral success this weekend of France's pro-EU President Emmanuel Macron and his new centrist party, as well as Sunday's drubbing in local elections for Italy's eurosceptic Five Star movement, and the steady return to popularity for the EU's grande dame, Chancellor Angela Merkel, ahead of Germany's autumn elections.
With or without the UK, the EU is determinedly looking forward.


A stonemason has said the foundations of a 1920s gravestone which fell over, killing an eight-year-old boy, would not be acceptable by today's standards.

Peter Hayman told a fatal accident inquiry the headstone at Craigton Cemetery was made with a limited mortar bed and without dowels for stability.
However, he said this was not why it had toppled over, but instead tree roots had caused the headstone to lean.
Ciaran Williamson, eight, was killed by the falling gravestone on 26 May 2015.
Expert stonemason Mr Hayman was called in to inspect the site after the incident.
The inquiry, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, aims to establish if there were any reasonable precautions that could have prevented the tragedy.
It also aims establish if there were any defects in the system of work which caused or contributed to Ciaran's death.
Giving evidence, Mr Hayman said the granite headstone was built in the 1920s and its foundations did not meet modern safety requirements.
But he said the stone had to be upright to remain stable and had been forced to lean forward by the roots of a nearby tree.
The inquiry heard the gravestone was constructed using a "very limited mortar bed" and no dowels were used to hold the pieces of the structure together.
The inquiry before sheriff Linda Ruxton continues.


Shares in pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca rose by more than 14% on Monday, after US giant Pfizer confirmed its interest in a takeover bid.

The firm said it had contacted AstraZeneca over a multi-billion pound bid for the UK-based drug maker.
If successful, the deal would be the biggest ever takeover of a UK firm by a foreign company.
Pfizer said it approached AstraZeneca on Saturday, after an initial offer in January, worth £58.8bn, was rebuffed.
AstraZeneca said the original offer "significantly undervalued" the firm, which employs more than 51,000 staff.
However, AstraZeneca said it was "confident" its strategy would create "significant value" for shareholders on its own.
"The Board remains confident in the ongoing execution of AstraZeneca's strategy as an independent company," it added.
By Kamal AhmedBBC Business editor
Pfizer's statement this morning is a love letter to AstraZeneca's shareholders.
It talks of "a highly compelling opportunity to realise a significant premium" and offers a "substantial cash payment".
Pfizer also pledges that AstraZeneca shareholders would be able to take up significant rights in any combined company.
Judged by other pharmaceutical deals, any bid of this size would come at a premium of around 30%, presumably on AstraZeneca's undisturbed 17 April share price of £37.81.
With a present market value above £50bn, AstraZeneca would cost Pfizer around £65bn.
Pfizer has the cash, with a multi-billion dollar war chest held off-shore to shield it from American tax laws.
If AstraZeneca does not engage, and it hasn't so far, this bid could turn hostile.
It will be quite a battle.
Pfizer said in a statement that AstraZeneca's refusal to engage meant it was currently "considering its options".
AstraZeneca manufactures drugs in 16 countries focusing on treatments for diabetes, cancer and asthma as well as antibiotics.
It reported £25.7bn in sales last year, with £3.3bn in pre-tax profit.
In the UK it has eight sites and about 6,700 employees.
Recently it posted a drop in first quarter profits - and laid off thousands of staff in an effort to reduce its costs to compensate for a fall in sales - due to patent losses on blockbuster medicines.
In April, it posted a drop in first quarter profits after its earnings were by hit by patents expiring on some of its older medicines.
Pfizer said its initial offer in January was a combination of cash and shares worth £46.61 per AstraZeneca share, worth £58.8bn in total.
At the time, it represented a 30% premium to AstraZeneca's share price, although AstraZeneca's share price has since increased and on Monday morning it jumped nearly 15% to £46.88p.
Pfizer said the deal was "a highly compelling opportunity" for AstraZeneca's shareholders.
It said if the takeover went through, the combined firm would have management in both the US and the UK, but would list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
"We have great respect for AstraZeneca and its proud heritage," said Pfizer chairman and chief executive Ian Read.
Pfizer said it would only make a firm offer if AstraZeneca directors voted unanimously in favour of the deal.
"The strategic, business and financial rationale for a transaction is compelling," it added.
Buying AstraZeneca would give Pfizer, whose drugs include Viagra, access to a number of cancer and diabetes drugs.
However, Justin Urquhart Stewart, head of corporate development at Seven Investment Management, told the BBC the price Pfizer is offering was still too low to secure a deal.
"It's too close to what it is priced at in the market," he said.
"They've tried to talk to the management and gain agreement but that's not happened so they are considering now going directly to the shareholders".
Citi analyst Andrew Baum said he believed there was now a 90% chance that Pfizer would acquire AstraZeneca for at least around £49 a share.
By Linda YuehChief business correspondent
Linda Yueh, the BBC's chief business correspondent, notes that AstraZeneca is a key UK firm in the area of research and development (R&D) and also in exports.
"AstraZeneca's £7bn of drugs sold every year accounts for a whopping 2.3% of British goods exports," she added.
Pfizer has made other major acquisitions, its most recent being the $68bn (£40.4bn) purchase of Wyeth in 2009.
However, this would mark its biggest foreign acquisition.
It would also be the largest foreign takeover of a British firm, beating some of the more recent deals which include:
However, the BBC's business editor, Kamal Ahmed, warned Pfizer's takeover approach could turn into a lengthy battle.
"If AstraZeneca does not engage, and it hasn't so far, this bid could turn hostile," he said.
Reacting to news of the bid, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "My priority is to ensure that the objectives of this government's life sciences industrial strategy are fulfilled. This means ensuring there are high-skilled jobs and long term investment in research and development in the UK.
"On the potential merger, the CEO of Pfizer has made contact and informed me of his intentions and I have emphasised the importance of these points."


A woman who claims her former lover posed as an MI6 agent to con her out of her life savings has criticised police for not doing enough to catch him.

Carolyn Woods, from Gloucestershire, lent Mark Acklom £850,000 during a year-long relationship in 2012.
He has since disappeared and in October was among 10 British fugitives named by the National Crime Agency as the most wanted in Spain.
Avon and Somerset Police said they were "doing everything we can" to find him.
Ms Woods, 55, met Mr Acklom, 43, when he walked into the shop where she worked in Tetbury.
She said when she first met him, he told her he was a Swiss banker but subsequently "confided" he worked for MI6, before she moved in with him in Bath.
She claims this gave him "carte blanche" to "appear at any time of the day or night or be absent for long periods without having to explain".
"I said to people, this is like something out of James Bond," she said.
"He managed to convince me that he was an MI6 agent and had to have brain surgery."
Ms Woods said on one occasion, in London, he told her he had been called to see his boss at MI6.
She said they were taken - by "his driver" - to a side street near the MI6 building.
"I believed he was going in through a back entrance to see his boss," Ms Woods said.
"I saw him walk into what looked like an underground car park, past two armed guards - two men wearing flak jackets and what looked like machine guns.
"So I was absolutely convinced he had gone into the MI6 building. I have been told since, they don't have armed guards at MI6. But how anybody got near the MI6 building, even with a toy gun, I don't know. And who those people were? I have no idea," she said.
After winning her trust, she said he demanded money from her and she lent him £850,000.
Carolyn Woods said Mark Acklom "vanished" at the end of 2012.
She said: "At that time, my life was descending into hell. I had no money left. I was living in a house I believed he owned but I was paying all the bills."
Ms Woods said she gave evidence to Avon and Somerset Police, in July 2015, that Mr Acklom was in custody in Spain, but by the time they had got a European arrest warrant a year later he had been released.
She said: "They seem to have very little communication with the Spanish police. I don't get the impression that anything is followed through or that they even try to find out."
Det Insp Adam Bunting said offences were reported to Avon and Somerset Police in 2013, and a European Arrest warrant was obtained in June 2016.
He added that although information was received in response to last year's appeal in identifying the 10 most wanted British fugitives in Spain, Mr Acklom had not been located.
The officer said: "We're continuing to work with the NCA and the Spanish authorities, in order to locate and arrest him as soon as possible.
"We're aware of some of the concerns the victim has relating to the early stages of the investigation, but I'd like to reassure her and the public that we're doing everything we can to find Acklom and bring him back to this country."
Sky News spoke to Mr Acklom last year about Ms Woods' claims and he described them as "nonsense".


A three-legged cat adopted by a Cambridge University library is being used to help relieve students' stress during the exam season.

Jasper, a five-year-old ginger tom, belongs to the deputy librarian at the Marshall Library of Economics.
He became a hit with students after his owner took him to work, and a recent "tea with Jasper" event attracted 140 moggy-lovers.
Similar events are planned as Jasper is now the library's "official mascot".
Jasper lost his left hind leg in a car accident and was abandoned by his owners. He was adopted by deputy librarian Simon Frost from a rescue centre.
While the cat is well-behaved on university premises, spending his time browsing the shelves and sleeping on copies of the Financial Times, Jasper is more adventurous on his home turf.
"He's bouncy like Tigger, because he has three legs, and he's a bit unstable when he moves slowly - so he goes everywhere at speed," Mr Frost said.
Jasper also likes to climb trees, "but he can't get down", he added.
Librarian Clare Trowell said: "Students coming to visit and pet Jasper told us just how much he'd calmed them down, and helped relieve any stress.
"Many of them were missing their own cats or other pets."
Jasper now has his own hashtag - #economicscat - and frequently makes announcements about the library on social media.
There is also a university "cat club" on Facebook, where students who are missing their pets can share photos of them with other cat lovers.


Chilean opposition leader Michelle Bachelet has called for a full investigation on the human rights abuses committed during Gen Pinochet's rule.

She led a ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the coup that brought the general to power.
She demanded an end to impunity and said Chileans had the right to find out what happened to the victims.
The opposition has boycotted an official ceremony to mark the coup.
At the ceremony, centre-right President Sebastian Pinera criticised the "violent coup that started a 17-year period of military rule".
But he said it was "the predictable outcome" after "repeated violations of the rule of law" under the government of socialist President Salvador Allende.
He denounced the violations committed during the period and said: "Many of us could have done a great deal more to safeguard the respect of human rights."
The event, at the presidential palace in Santiago, was attended by Ms Bachelet's rival in November's presidential election, Evelyn Matthei.
During the opposition ceremony held earlier at the capital's Museum of Memory and Human Rights, Ms Bachelet dismissed the view that Chile was on the verge of a civil war in 1973.
"It is fair to say there was a lack of dialogue and a polarisation of the politics then. But it is unfair to say that the the military coup was inevitable," she said.
She said "painful wounds" were reopened every time Chile looked into its past, but said the aim was not to victimise anyone, but "to get to know the truth."
More than 3,000 people are estimated to have been killed during Gen Augusto Pinochet's government, which came into power on 11 September 1973.
Mr Allende committed suicide inside the presidential palace - Palacio de la Moneda - after it was encircled by troops and bombed by Chilean air force planes.
According to official figures, some 40,000 people were victims of human rights abuses, including Ms Bachelet and her mother, who were tortured before going into exile.
She returned to Chile after the end of Gen Pinochet's rule and was elected the country's first woman president.
The BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago says 40 years on, Chile is still split over the events that preceded the coup and General Pinochet's legacy.
These divisions are evident in the campaign to succeed Mr Pinera.
Chileans go to the polls on 17 November to choose between Ms Bachelet and Ms Matthei, the daughters of two generals who were good friends and neighbours until the 1973 coup.
Gen Alberto Bachelet, who remained loyal to Mr Allende, was arrested, tortured and died in detention. Gen Fernando Matthei became a senior member of Gen Pinochet's regime.


Firefighters have rescued two people from a serious house fire in South Ayrshire.

Crews were called to the property in Dalrymple Street, Girvan, just after 07:30 on Saturday.
The single-storey, mid-terrace house was "well alight" when they arrived at the scene.
The occupants were treated for severe smoke inhalation at the scene before being taken to hospital.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said: "Crews in breathing apparatus entered the burning property and managed to rescue two people from the house."
Appliances from Maybole, Girvan, Colmonell and the aerial rescue platform from Ayr remained at the scene on Saturday morning.
The SFRS said it would be working with Police Scotland to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire.


A Greek photographer has won the Visa d'Or news photography prize for his coverage of the mass arrival of migrants on the island of Lesbos last year.

Aris Messinis worked for the French news agency AFP and has won prizes before for images taken in war zones.
He said he never thought he would cover this in his own country.
Notably, he has at times stepped out from behind the lens and helped the people he saw in difficulty.
One photograph that won him acclaim on social media was not taken by him but by a witness, who saw him carrying a refugee child to safety from the sea.
Mr Messinis said there was no conflict of interest between photographing and rescuing and it was a "normal human reflex".
"We try to keep our distance, to be objective," he said.
"But sometimes it is good to lend a hand to somebody who needs a hand. It is a personal decision."
The work is on display in Perpignan in southern France.
The Visa d'Or for news is considered the most prestigious award handed out at the Visa Pour L'Image festival.
At one point, 7,000 migrants a day were arriving on Lesbos - and many who tried to make the journey died at sea.
In 2016 a deal between Turkey and the EU saw seaborne migrants being returned to Turkey in exchange for Syrian refugees who had applied through official channels.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.