Italy will surely improve by trying to play positive, entertaining rugby while Stuart Hogg showcases his talent for Scotland

Wales’s fabled ability to recover from defeat will be tested by France while England need to start taking the initiative earlier in games

Danny Cipriani’s injury has hurt Gloucester with a crunch match to come while Saracens and Racing 92 meet in a game to savour

Willi Heinz is showing that Eddie Jones made the right call at the World Cup while there are encouraging signs at Welford Road

Leicester undo their own good work again, Rees-Zammit in the Wales reckoning and Sale raise their sights

Exeter are the only Premiership side in pole position to secure a quarter-final spot in the European Champions Cup after an attritional weekend

It was a difficult weekend for English clubs in the Champions Cup, with Irish provinces picking up a triple crown of victories over Premiership sides

Pat Lam’s Bristol are looking up, Worcester secure their status and Saints are grateful to the ever-ready Dan Biggar

Billy Vunipola needs Owen Farrell’s ruthless focus, Danny Cipriani’s patience boosts Gloucester and Saints reaping rewards of faith in youth

Bath’s Jonathan Joseph did his chances of England World Cup selection no harm at all against Bristol while Exeter had the look of Premiership champions against Leicester

England should reassess their scrum-halves, Wales handled Kyle Sinckler before turning the visitors’ tactics back on them

Player welfare versus flow of the game, Ireland’s own Beauden Barrett and England kicking on with an All Blacks tactic

John Mitchell key to England stealing a march on Ireland; Wales’ Dan Biggar offered alternative denied to France; Scotland’s chance to show ambition; England women face formidable pack

Dan Robson’s display is silver lining for Wasps, Tadhg Beirne outmuscles Exeter while Saracens look Leinster’s biggest threat

Ross Byrne dominates for Leinster, Exeter can still make progress, and Maro Itoje returns for Saracens who stay right on top

Cipriani’s bargaining position gets stronger, Vunipola shakes off the rust and the Dominator makes his England case

Steve Diamond crossed the line between aggression and chaos, Saints stunned Exeter and Ben Te’o made an impact for Worcester

How long can Worcester allow Ben Te’o to twiddle his thumbs in the stand, could a rare defeat galvanise Saracens and Sale would surely love Robert du Preez to stay on

Leinster and Saracens have the look of champions look but England’s other clubs have fallen short in Europe

Munster set the early pace in the European Champions Cup after a standout performance from JJ Hanrahan while Saracens look in ominous form