Champions Cup finals are normally tight, tense affairs but Northampton and Bordeaux might just deliver one for the ages in Cardiff.
England lock Ollie Chessum will return to Leicester Tigers' starting XV on Sunday as his side host Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership.
England captain Maro Itoje will return to captain a Saracens side containing four of his international team-mates during the Guinness Six Nations when they host Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.
Last week’s post-Christmas block of fixtures took us beyond the halfway point in this season’s Gallagher Premiership and a number of the round nine results have certainly whetted the appetite as English ruby welcomes in the new year.
It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
This weekend’s return of the Gallagher Premiership following a five-week hibernation was given its banner headline on Wednesday when Joe Marler confirmed he will retire from playing with immediate effect following Friday night’s Harlequins match at home to Bristol.
Despite spirited resistance from Sale Sharks, few members of the Twickenham crowd doubted Mark McCall's men would wrestle back their Premiership crown
We have picked out six of the brightest talents to watch over the next two months in the U20 Six Nations, with the age-grade tournament set to excite.
Check out our take on the future stars of rugby as we look ahead to the new decade and the players that are ready to burst on to the scene.
Ulster must go into their European opener with real fight and strong self-belief, and they can rely on a little bit of history on their side - because in the past Leicester Tigers have never found Belfast trips easy going.