This week's biggest matches to watch on Rugby Pass

There’s a full house of big matches this weekend, from an all-Irish showdown in the Pro12 to a sizzling South African derby in Super Rugby.

Aviva Premiership: Harlequins vs Exeter Chiefs (Saturday, April 15, 2:45am HKT)

After last week’s super-stadium away days at Twickenham and Wembley, it’s back to ground basics this week as Quins entertain Exeter at The Stoop. The visitors have already booked a place in the post-season playoffs, but will want to hold on to a top two spot and guarantee home advantage. But their hosts, currently sixth in the table, have next season’s Champions Cup on their mind – not to mention an outside shot of the top four if they can pick up enough points in the closing three rounds of the regular season.

Top 14: Toulon vs Castres Olympique (Saturday, April 15, 8:45pm HKT)

The Top 14 season kicked off on August 20, 2016. Almost nine months later, there are just three – or, in the case of Castres, Montpellier, Racing 92, and Stade Francais four – matches of the regular domestic season left. And there’s still plenty to play for. The teams facing one another at Stade Mayol this weekend are strong playoff contenders, but given the state of the French top flight that could change very quickly for the team that loses here. Or maybe not, depending on results elsewhere.

Super Rugby: Stormers vs Lions (Saturday, April 15, 11:15pm HKT)

Against all predictions, some of the best rugby of this young Super season is coming out of South Africa. The two main culprits are the Stormers and Lions – and they meet in Cape Town on Saturday in the undisputed match of the round. The Stormers thrilled in their win over the high-flying Chiefs last week to remain undefeated this season, while last year’s beaten finalists the Lions haven’t been too far off their 2016 pace. Only home advantage tips this is the Stormers’ favour, but it should be an absolute barnburner.

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Pro 12: Connacht vs Leinster (Sunday, April 16, 2:30am HKT)

Time is rapidly running out on the Pat Lam era at Connacht, but the Bristol-bound coach still has unfinished business in Galway. With time fast running out on the current campaign, the fourth Irish province is seventh in the Pro 12 and eight points adrift of Glasgow, who occupy the last of the non-Italian Champions Cup places. The chase is on, and Connacht could not have wished for more difficult opponents for the first of their final three matches.

NRL: Panthers vs Sharks (Sunday, April 16, 2:00pm HKT)

Are the Panthers set to be the great pretenders of this NRL season? Hotly tipped to be a Premiership contender, the Penrith side have stuttered to a 2-4 record over the first six weeks. Last weekend was perhaps their least convincing performance yet, going down 21-20 at home to the Rabbitohs. This weekend will be a whole lot tougher, with the Sharks showing up at Pepper Stadium. The Panthers are still the favourites, but they’ll have to start playing like it.