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Domestic rugby returns in full force after autumn Tests

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European club teams will be bolstered by the return of numerous players from international duty following the Autumn Internationals.

European club teams will be bolstered by the return of numerous players from international duty following the Autumn Internationals.

The Test series saw France claim a first-ever win over world champions New Zealand while England went three from three.

Wales picked up wins over South Africa and Hong Kong while Italy were victorious against Scotland and South Africa.

Ireland and Scotland weren’t able to secure autumn wins but the players will quickly have to forget about that and turn their attention back to the top-class rugby on the way this weekend.

In England

Worcester Valkyries will welcome current Tyrrells Premier 15s league leaders, Saracens who will be hoping to make it four wins on the spin at Sixways.

Worcester will be looking for their first win of the season and will try to go one better than their narrow defeat to Firwood Waterloo last time out, which they lost by a solitary point.

Meanwhile, second-placed Loughborough Lightning will take on Wasps as they attempt to reclaim their place at the top of the league after losing to Saracens last weekend.

Bristol Bears will host Harlequins at Shaftsbury Park as they attempt to recover after two consecutive losses. Quins are sitting third in the table after a run of good results and will be hoping for a slip up from Loughborough in order to leapfrog them.

Gloucester-Hartpury will host DMP Sharks and Richmond will take the trip to Firwood Waterloo.

In France

Montpellier continue to reign supreme having scored 88 unanswered points in their last fixture against AS Rouen Universite Club.

The league leaders will welcome back Montserrat Améndée and Caroline Boujard who were in the France squad that beat New Zealand as they prepare to face Stade Francais.

Stade Olympique Villelonguet will be aiming to notch their first win of the season as they take on Lons Rugby Feminin Bearn Pyrenees in the Poule 1 crunch match.

In Poule 2 another undefeated record is on the line as Stade Toulousain Rugby take on Stade Bordelais – Asptt.

Conversely, Stado Tarbes Pyrenees Rugby will be on the hunt for their first win of the season when they make the trip to A C Bobigny 93 Rugby.

In Italy

Serie A Femminile returns after the international break and Valsugana Rugby Padova have been dealt the tough task of hosting league leaders, Rugby Colorno.

Colorno are yet to concede a point this season however, they are only one point ahead of second placed Iniziative – Villorba Rugby who are away at Cus Milano Rugby ASD.

Two sides remain winless in the league; Verona Rugby will try to gain their first victory over Benetton Treviso and Rugby Riviera 1975 will attempt to do the same when they take on Chicken CUS Pavia.

In Wales

League leaders Llandaff North will go up against Caernarfon RFC in the hope of extending their eight-point lead but have two games in hand over their closest rivals, Pontyclun RFC.

Pontyclun will have their own battle to fight against Pencoed RFC who narrowly beat Caernarfon RFC last time out.

The other weekend fixtures will see Whitland RFC host Swansea Women and Penybanc RFC travel to Gwernyfed RFC.

In Ireland

It’s played five, won five for Railway Union so far in the All-Ireland League as they set Old Belvedere in their sights for their next game at Park Avenue.

Third-placed U.L. Bohemian will try to close the gap when they travel to Templeville Road and take on St Mary’s College while the other weekend fixture will see Blackrock take on Cooke.

Scotland’s Tennent’s Women’s Premier League has no fixtures.