As international players made their way back into the domestic fold, round seven of the Allianz Premier 15s threw up plenty of mouth-watering action.
The pick of the games was at the Alpas Arena where Gloucester-Hartpury and Loughborough Lightning fought it out in a thriller with the visitors edging things 33-31.
England star Helena Rowland played a major role, scoring one try and setting up two, as the Lightning held off a spirited comeback from the hosts to emerge victorious.
The result narrowed the gap between the two sides in the table with Loughborough climbing to within three points of Gloucester-Hartpury who are spot above them in sixth place.
Katy Daley-McLean’s life solely as coach, after hanging up her boots having starred for the Barbarians, began with a tough loss as her Sale Sharks side went down 22-8.
The other Sharks in the league also tasted defeat as DMP Durham Sharks succumbed 69-7 away at champions Harlequins.
Captain Rachael Burford made a triumphant return to the Quins line-up, getting the scoring underway with fellow Red Roses Sarah Beckett and Shaunagh Brown also crossing.
England full-back Ellie Kildunne again shone as she claimed a try double to ensure it was a comfortable day out for Gerard Mullen’s side.
Exeter Chiefs got the better of Worcester Warriors 29-12 while Saracens retained their unbeaten run with a narrow 19-12 victory over Bristol Bears.
Dave Ward’s side suffered their first defeat of the season against the women in black as Zoe Harrison’s late penalty put Sarries out of reach.
Across the channel, Stade Toulousain made it five games unbeaten and strengthened their grip at the top of Pool 1 in France’s Élite 1 Féminine after they scored three converted tries in a 24-0 success over AC Bobigny.
In Pool 2, Cyrielle Banet’s Montpellier showed their prowess as they eased to a 64-5 triumph over RC Chilly Mazarin.
They are level on 25 points with Blagnac Sporting Club, who went to Lyon and won 39-5, at the top of the table.
In Italy’s Serie A Femminile, top side Valsugana Rugby Padova showed their class as they beat bottom side Benetton Treviso’s Red Panthers 109-10.
Second-place Villorba kept the pressure on the unbeaten league leaders with a convincing 31-0 triumph over Milano.
Over in Ireland, Lindsay Peat’s Railway Union stayed top of the Women’s All-Ireland League on points difference after a 72-0 victory over Galwegians.
However, UL Bohemian, who have Irish legend and the recently retired Ciara Griffin among their side, kept the pressure on Railway with a 64-5 triumph over Ballincollig to set up a blockbuster final weekend.
In Scotland, all Tennent’s Women Premiership sides made their way to Bridgehaugh to pay tribute to former Stirling County and Scotland international Siobhan Cattigan who sadly passed away on November 26.
Stirling County staged a friendly with Watsonians while Cartha Queens Park faced Heriot’s Blues at the same venue and Hillhead Jordanhill took on Corstorphine in an early kick-off at Bannockburn to ensure they could make it down to pay tribute, as the results on the pitch took a back seat over the weekend.
