A month out from the British & Irish Lions squad reveal and the selection subplot continues to simmer as both domestic and European seasons hurtle towards their respective conclusions.
England lock Ollie Chessum will return to Leicester Tigers' starting XV on Sunday as his side host Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership.
Last week’s post-Christmas block of fixtures took us beyond the halfway point in this season’s Gallagher Premiership and a number of the round nine results have certainly whetted the appetite as English ruby welcomes in the new year.
Leicester Tigers player ratings: Michael Cheika's side put on a clinic at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, dismantling the Hollywoodbets Sharks 56-17 in a display that combined power and precision.
The South African visitors were without a number of Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi, and Leicester tore them apart.
Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika has chosen to leave England lock George Martin out of the team for this weekend's trip to Top 14 high-flyers Bordeaux-Begles.
Former Leinster and Ireland second row Ross Molony is set to make his Bath debut in a pre-season clash against a familiar foe.
The youngster demonstrated he had nerves of steel during the recent age-grade Six Nations, calmly kicking late penalties for the Irish to win away in France in the opening round of a campaign that finished with his team unbeaten in five matches but denied the title due to England having collected an extra bonus point along the way.
Bath have confirmed the signing of five players to their senior academy, including Tyler Offiah, son of rugby league legend Martin.
England backrow star Jack Willis has swapped crestfallen Wasps for European royalty in Toulouse and he is loving his new life in France