This time in two weeks we will be reflecting on the result of Ireland’s contest with Italy and looking ahead to the final round of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.
And with that in mind this weekend has seen more stars tune up for the return of the Championship with strong performances on the domestic stage.
At opposite ends of the spectrum, in England the Premiership went through its penultimate hurdle with a bumper day of semi-final action while it was Round 2 of the new Guinness PRO14 season and the early stages of the Top 14 season also continued.
On Saturday the Premiership took centre stage as Wasps and Exeter Chiefs booked their places in the final on October 24 by beating Bristol Bears and Bath respectively.
England hopeful Jack Willis maintained his stellar form at the turnover and added a try as Wasps saw off Bristol 47-24 with Italy full-back Matteo Minozzi also dotting down.
Meanwhile Exeter put in a brilliant all-round showing as they won 35-6, with England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie scoring and Scotland captain Stuart Hogg starring.
In the PRO14, four sides ensured that their perfect starts to the season continued as Leinster, Ulster, Cardiff Blues and Munster all won again.
Ross Byrne celebrated being named in Ireland’s 35-man Guinness Six Nations squad by putting in a man of the match performance as the defending champions held off a spirited Benetton display 37-25.
The fly-half controlled proceedings from start to finish in the absence of Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, was accurate from the tee and unlocked Benetton’s defence with pinpoint passes.
Ulster are one point behind them in Conference A after they beat Ospreys 24-12 and Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale put in a superb attacking display with a try and a number of bulldozing carries.
Cardiff Blues continued their strong start to the season as they beat Connacht 29-7 to sit top of Conference B.
Hallam Amos scored twice while Wales wing Josh Adams was his typical menacing self throughout.
And Munster have two wins from two as well after a titanic battle with Edinburgh which they won 25-23.
Craig Casey, who will train with the Irish squad next week, showed his potential worth to the national side with an energetic display as CJ Stander provided the crucial late try.
Over in France, full-back Thomas Ramos was spotless with his kicking as Toulouse beat Racing 92 30-24 to go top.
Toulon are third in the table after they held off winless Montpellier 25-21 despite the efforts of French wing Vincent Rattez, who dotted down.
Wing Gervais Cordin, who made his international debut in this year’s Guinness Six Nations, scored the vital try for Toulon.
Elsewhere Stade Francais won on their travels as they beat Agen 20-3 while La Rochelle saw off Bayonne 36-19 in part thanks to the efforts of France flanker Gregory Alldritt who scored his side’s fourth and final try.
