With Christmas just around the corner, the final round of domestic action gave Europe’s top teams the chance to build up momentum over the festive period.
And there was no shortage of searing drama witnessed by fans as stars of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy all shone in their respective leagues.
Here’s a look at some of the most eye-catching statistics from the weekend’s action with the 2019 Guinness Six Nations just a matter of weeks away.
Clinical Chiefs end Sarries’ unbeaten run
The magic number 23 eluded Saracens as fellow Premiership high-flyers Exeter Chiefs ended the 22-match unbeaten run of the Men in Black.
Rob Baxter’s men put in a sterling shift at Sandy Park, and were clinical when it mattered, despite Sarries missing just 12 tackles to Exeter’s 22.
The Chiefs grew into the contest as the match wore on, enjoying 58 per cent of possession and not missing a beat with the boot as well as capitalising with ball in hand.
Elsewhere, England’s Freddie Burns starred in Bath’s triumph over Wasps, the fly-half putting a fabulous afternoon’s work as he racked up 19 individual points for Todd Blackadder’s men, who also had winger Semesa Rokoduguni to thank for an all-action display as he beat seven defenders, registered three clean breaks and ran 108 metres for his side.
Holmes stars once again
Jonah Holmes is one of the names on people’s lips at the moment having made his international debut for Wales earlier this year in what has been a superb season.
And the winger was in fine form once again in an enthralling clash between Leicester Tigers and Harlequins, crossing twice in the first half as the Tigers ran out 35-24 winners and making the most metres (56) of anyone in his side. Holmes also beat three defenders and made two clean breaks.
Rampant Racing serve up festive treat
Over in France, Racing produced a pre-Christmas treat as the home side amassed ten tries over Perpignan in a 64-28 triumph.
Nine different players crossed the whitewash for the home side, Leone Nakarawa the only player to notch a double, as the attacking flair of Racing racked up a whopping 807 metres.
Scotland star Finn Russell kicked six conversions as home fans were left all smiles.
Leinster leave it late against Connacht
The game of the weekend in the Guinness PRO14 arguably came at Leinster, who needed a last-gasp Andrew Porter try to get past a spirited Connacht.
The visitors defended doggedly with Colby Fainga’a putting in a 21-tackle shift in the back row and man of the match Jack Carty amassing a game-high 14 points.
Ireland’s Dan Leavy and Sean Cronin had dotted down a matter of minutes before Porter crossed the whitewash to complete a memorable festive fightback from Leinster.
Adam Byrne was a menace for the home side, with no one beating more defenders (five) or making more metres (149) than the powerful winger.
