Northampton Saints were brought back down to earth after they suffered a 50-28 loss away to Champions Cup holders Bordeaux in a repeat of last season's final.
Leinster held on to register a feisty URC interprovincial Irish derby win against Munster, winning 13-8 at Thomond Park.
Munster bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Bath last week to comprehensively beat Gloucester 31-3 in the Champions Cup at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.
An astonishing start which saw Bath 28-0 ahead inside 19 minutes proved crucial as the Prem side saw off Munster 40-14 in their Champions Cup opener.
Captain Caelan Doris returns for Ireland as one of eight changes to the side to face Japan in Dublin on Saturday.
Jack Crowley has been restored as Ireland's starting fly-half for Saturday's clash against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago in the headline team news on Andy Farrell's return.
November 5, 2016 - the date when Ireland and New Zealand's rugby rivalry changed forever at Soldier Field in Chicago.
England's Maro Itoje and Ireland's Tadhg Beirne have been selected as the starting Lions lock partnership for Friday's clash vs Argentina, live on Sky Sports.
©2026 Sky UK
