The final weekend of domestic action gets underway tonight before international stars head off to link up with their respective countries.
With all the autumn squads now unveiled, head coaches across Europe will have their fingers crossed that their stars come through unscathed.
There are derbies aplenty in the Guinness PRO14 where Rory Best brings up yet another milestone in his glorious career and a France star makes his long-awaited injury return in the Top 14. IRELAND Rory Best will captain Ireland this autumn when they take on South Africa, Argentina and Fiji but before that he marks a major milestone for Ulster on Saturday night.
The hooker – making his first start of the season after a hamstring injury – will make it 200 games for the province when they take on fierce rivals Leinster.
Elsewhere for Ulster, Stuart McCloskey – whose sole Ireland cap came in the 2016 Six Nations against England – has been recalled by Ireland and will look to make a statement at the Kingspan.
Leinster are without Robbie Henshaw and Jonathan Sexton, although neither’s injuries are thought to be serious, but do recall two Britsh & Irish Lions.
Sean O’Brien returns to captain the side at No.8 while Rob Kearney is at full-back. New Ireland recruit Adam Byrne is also on the wing.
On Friday night, Connacht welcome Munster to the Sportsground and the men from Galway have Kieran Marmion, Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham all back in their squad. Niyi Adeolokun is named in the matchday 23 for the first time this season as he returns from injury.
Munster only make three changes after their strong start in Europe, Andrew Conway comes onto the wing for his fellow Ireland call-up Darren Sweetnam. FRANCE He may not be in the autumn squad for France after his long injury lay-off, but Les Bleus fans will be delighted to see Wesley Fofana return this weekend.
The centre, who has won 44 caps for France, had been sidelined for over nine months after a torn achilles and then an adductor strain delayed his return.
But he is back in midfield for Clermont Auvergne this weekend, partnered with Remi Lamerat for their Top 14 clash with Stade Francais.
Meanwhile Toulon could be tempted to start Francois Trinh-Duc and Anthony Belleau together at fly half and inside centre this weekend when they face Brive.
After Camille Lopez’s horror leg break last weekend for Clermont in Europe, Trinh-Duc and Belleau are the two fly-halves in Guy Noves’ autumn squad.
But the head coach will be intrigued to see how the duo dovetail together this weekend if selected. ENGLAND Eddie Jones named four uncapped players in his England squad for the autumn and all four of them start this weekend.
Sam Simmonds has impressed at No.8 for Exeter Chiefs this season to earn his first call-up, but on Friday night he will be at openside flanker when they take on Sale Sharks.
Bath duo Tom Dunn and Zach Mercer both start on Sunday in the West Country derby against Gloucester while Marcus Smith is again at No.10 for Harlequins.
Smith and Mercer are apprentices for England this autumn so will not be picked for action, but the duo can catch Jones’ eye ahead of assembling at Pennyhill Park with strong showings.
Elsewhere, Joe Marler and Nathan Hughes are suspended but Dylan Hartley is free to start for Northampton Saints when they take on Wasps. Courtney Lawes is back in the second row this weekend as well for Saints. ITALY It has been a long wait for Alessandro Zanni to make his injury return – over a year out in fact after ACL surgery.
But the long road to recovery could come to an end this weekend with the Italian flanker named on the bench for Benetton in their clash with Edinburgh.
The 33-year-old has won 99 caps for his country and will be itching to prove himself to Conor O’Shea and co with the 2018 Six Nations in mind.
Benetton gave Toulon, the three times champions of Europe, a real scare last weekend and will look to build on that momentum this weekend.
Meanwhile Zebre face the Cheetahs and the impressive backs Mattia Bellini and Matteo Minozzi are both back from injury. SCOTLAND Gregor Townsend surprised a few people this week with his Scotland squad for the autumn, and three stars from the Aviva Premiership are all in action this weekend.
Byron McGuigan starts for Sale after his first international call-up, as does Chris Harris for Newcastle while Luke Hamilton is on the bench for Leicester Tigers.
Elsewhere, Ryan Grant is involved for Glasgow Warriors for the first time since re-joining the club while Stuart Hogg continues his return to full form and fitness when they take on the Southern Kings.
Edinburgh have Fraser McKenzie as captain for the first time and welcome back Hamish Watson after a three-week injury lay-off when they take on Benetton. WALES Sam Cross will cap an incredible week by starting for the Ospreys on Friday night when they take on the Dragons.
The flanker was named in Warren Gatland’s Wales autumn squad before ever starting a game in the Guinness PRO14 but that will change this weekend in the local derby.
Ospreys are without Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate and Rhys Webb through injury, but Alun Wyn Jones is fit to start and captain the side.
Rhys Priestland’s return to the international fold was also confirmed this week and he starts for Bath on Sunday against Gloucester.
Meanwhile another lock Seb Davies who was included by Gatland this week as the more experienced Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies were overlooked, returns to start for the Cardiff Blues.
FRIDAY
Aviva Premiership Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs
Guinness PRO14 Connacht v Munster Glasgow v Southern Kings Ospreys v Dragons
SATURDAY
Aviva Premiership Harlequins v Worcester Northampton v Wasps Saracens v London Irish
Guinness PRO14 Benetton v Edinburgh Zebre v Cheetahs Ulster v Leinster Scarlets v Cardiff Blues
Top 14 Toulon v Brive Lyon v Oyonnax Pau v Montpellier Racing 92 v Bordeaux-Begles Clermont v Stade Francais
SUNDAY
Aviva Premiership Bath v Gloucester Newcastle v Leicester
Top 14 Castres v Agen La Rochelle v Toulouse
