As the Women’s Six Nations sides gear up for the latest instalment of Autumn Internationals there’s a multitude of domestic fixtures taking place this weekend across England, France, Wales and Ireland.
After a stunning round of action in France’s Elite 1 last weekend that saw a top of the table clash between Montpellier and Blagnac, there’s another helping of top-class rugby on the way this week.
Here’s what’s on offer in Europe’s domestic leagues:
Loughborough hoping lightning strikes eight times
Tyrrells Premier 15s leaders Loughborough Lightning have the chance to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they host winless Worcester Valkyries on Saturday.
The league toppers have made an imperious start to the campaign and had no problems defeating Firwood Waterloo last time out, with England captain Sarah Hunter scoring two second-half tries.
Second-placed Saracens Women face an intriguing visit to in-form Bristol, with Bears’ England U20 fly-half Lucy Attwood scoring a hat-trick in their last fixture against Worcester.
Saracens will hope to exhibit the same form that saw them see off Gloucester-Hartpury as England duo Lotte Clapp and Vicky Fleetwood combined to perfection last week.
Meanwhile, third-placed Harlequins host fourth-placed Wasps for the chance to keep pace with the leaders, while Firwood Waterloo take on Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.
Gloucester-Hartpury also host Richmond at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
Magnificent Montpellier make their mark
Montpellier reigned supreme in last week’s crunch tie at the top of Elite 1’s Pool 1 by edging a tight 15-9 win over Blagnac Rugby Feminin.
France’s 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winner Caroline Boujard scored the crucial try as Scotland international Helen Nelson kicked from the tee.
This weekend the leaders take on A.S Rouen Universite Club, but they will be without Montserrat Améndée and Boujard, who are in the France squad that faces New Zealand next week. Six Nations veteran Nelson is also in action against Italy on Saturday.
An epic clash will take place in Pool 1 with Blagnac hoping to bounce back in style against third-placed Stade Francais Paris.
Meanwhile in Pool 2, undefeated Stade Toulousain Rugby host Stado Tarbes Pyrenees Rugby as they attempt to make it six wins on the bounce against their bottom of the table opponents.
Second-placed AS Bayonnaise take on joint-third F.C Grenoble Amazones, while Stade Bordelais play Lille Metropole.
Wales and Ireland women in action
The third weekend of the Welsh Premiership swings into town on Sunday with league leaders Whitland facing off against Gwernyfed.
Bottom of the table Caernarfon play Swansea Women, who claimed a bonus point victory in their only match of the league season.
Llandaff North take on Pencoed after they lost 59-0 last week, and Penybanc host Pontyclun ahead of Wales’ Autumn International Test against South Africa.
In the All-Ireland League, table-toppers Old Belvedere welcome Galwegians after moving to the summit of the table after last week’s 53-0 away victory at St Mary’s College.
Railway Union are back in action on Sunday versus Blackrock, and Cooke take on U.L Bohemian.
There’s no action in Italy’s domestic league this weekend with the national side facing off against Scotland on Sunday, while Scotland’s Tennent’s Women’s Premier League also has no fixtures.
Watch Scotland’s trip to Italy live on the Federazione Italiana Rugby YouTube channel at 2:30pm on Sunday 4 November.
The game will also be broadcast live and for free on the Federazione Italiana Rugby Facebook page and the Federazione Italiana official website.
