Guinness Six Nations stars continued to shine for their respective clubs in another weekend of bumper domestic action in Europe.
In England’s Premiership Rugby, Exeter Chiefs got the better of rivals Saracens at Sandy Park in a closely-fought contest that featured an array of international stars.
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who missed the Autumn Nations Series through injury, marked his return with a player of the match display in the 18-15 triumph at Sandy Park.
Cowan-Dickie captained the Devonians and scored a crucial try from a maul to get Rob Baxter’s men going after fellow international Sam Simmonds had a score ruled out by the TMO.
Red Rose second row Maro Itoje put in another commanding performance in the engine room despite falling on the wrong side of the result.
On Sunday, England scrum-half Ben Youngs’ kick was fielded by Harry Potter who dotted down for Leicester Tigers as they edged reigning champions Harlequins.
Steve Borthwick’s side made it nine wins on the spin with a 16-14 victory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road to cement their place on top of the tree approaching the festive period.
Tries from England forwards Sam Underhill and Will Stuart were not enough for Bath to snap their winless streak away at Northampton Saints.
Stuart Hooper’s men lost 40-19 at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens with Wales fly-half Dan Biggar kicking four conversions for the home side.
Scotland and British & Irish Lions duo Duhan van der Merwe and Rory Sutherland excelled for Worcester Warriors as they made it three home wins on the spin.
The Warriors edged out Wasps 32-31 to win by the barest of margins, with winger Van der Merwe crossing the whitewash at Sixways.
Jimmy Gopperth missed a touchline conversion to snatch the win for Lee Blackett’s side after Tom Willis’ late try had given them hope at the end.
England squad members during the Autumn, Adam Radwan and Callum Chick, scored for Newcastle Falcons but were unable to prevent their side suffering a 43-21 defeat at London Irish.
Across the channel, France stars Mathieu Jalibert and Cameron Woki helped Bordeaux Begles soar to first place in the Top 14.
They got the better of Les Bleus colleagues and star half-back duo Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack as Bordeaux beat Stade Toulousain 17-7 on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Montpellier secured a comfortable 30-6 victory over USA Perpignan with Italy No.10 Paolo Garbisi putting in a perfect performance off the tee, notching 13 points.
France full-back Melvyn Jaminet kicked two penalties in response for Perpignan, but it was not enough at the GGL Stadium and left them level on points with bottom side Biarritz.
Montpellier sit third and fourth-place Lyon kept the pressure on with a commanding 41-0 win over Brive.
France winger Damian Penaud crossed for ASM Clermont as they racked up a 39-11 success over Biarritz at home to leave them seventh.
While Pau rescued a 16-16 draw at home to Toulon thanks to a converted try at the death while Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu landed a try double to help Stade Francais trump La Rochelle 25-20 on Sunday.
In the United Rugby Championship, Leinster’s Caelan Doris – fresh from winning Player of the Series for his impressive displays for Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series – touched down for one of seven Leinster tries in a 47-19 win over Connacht on Friday night.
His international teammate Garry Ringrose also picked up a five-pointer and flanker Josh van der Flier scooped the player of the match honours.
In Friday’s other game, Edinburgh made it four straight wins with a 24-10 victory over Benetton as Scotland trio Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn and Stuart McInally all dotted down.
Gregor Townsend’s backs Kyle Steyn and Ali Price scored two of five Glasgow Warriors tries as they moved up to fifth in the URC with a 33-14 win against the Dragons.
And Toby Booth’s Ospreys edged out Ulster 19-13 thanks to a dogged defensive effort and 14 points from the boot of Stephen Myler.
