It proved a scintillating weekend of European rugby as 12 Guinness PRO14 sides took to the field, duking it out with some of the finest teams across the continent in the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

And it marked the second instalment of the brief Guinness PRO14 hiatus, providing sides with their final dress rehearsal before the return of the competition in Round 8 this weekend.

So, with the new year rapidly approaching and crucial points up for grabs in the final raft of fixtures before Christmas, here’s your round-up of how all the teams fared as they prepare to return to Conference action this week.

Leinster make it two from two against Saints

Leo Cullen’s Leinster represent nothing other than a European powerhouse, visibly outlining their Champions Cup credentials with an emphatic 50-21 triumph over Northampton Saints at the fortress-resembling RDS Arena.

Last season’s runners-up appear more than up for the challenge of going one better this term, as a clinical Garry Ringrose hat-trick helped them put seven past Chris Boyd’s team and extend their hegemony at the summit of Pool 1.

In fact this bonus-point success was enough to seal a place in the quarter-finals, the first time that has been achieved so early in the competition.

Tadhg Furlong, Dave Kearney, James Lowe and Caelan Doris also dotted down in another polished performance from the Irish side, building further momentum for the defending Guinness PRO14 champions ahead of the visit of Ulster this weekend.

Ulster continue unbeaten run

And another Guinness PRO14 team to boast an undefeated record in Europe is Dan McFarland’s Ulster, who picked up an impressive away day victory in Pool 3 against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.

Last weekend’s hero John Cooney - whose last-minute penalty downed the same opposition at the Kingspan Stadium - was on hand to go over twice in London, while Luke Marshall, Matt Faddes and replacement Tom O’Toole also crossed to deliver a convincing 34-10 victory.

And that means McFarland’s resurgent outfit are in prime position to reach the knockout stages, entering their seismic clash against Leinster in Round 8 in confident spirits.

Connacht clinch thriller over Cherry & Whites

Yes @robocopey! 👊🟢 pic.twitter.com/4BfHDBXztx
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 14, 2019

Andy Friend’s side had never before beaten Gloucester prior to this weekend, but that all changed in Galway as Connacht produced a late turnaround thanks to a final try from replacement Robin Copeland to run out 27-24 winners.

The Conference B high-flyers were trailing 24-13 heading into the final five minutes with just one try to their name through Caolin Blade, before super-subs Shane Delahunt and Copeland both dotted down to ensure it was European jubilation.

And if that doesn’t buoy them even further for the all-Irish clash against Munster at the Sportsground this weekend nothing will, as they hope to translate their form on the European stage - they currently lie third in Pool 5 - into further Guinness PRO14 points on home soil.

Saracens scupper Munster’s hopes

Connacht’s next opponents were unable to get themselves on the desired end of a tight deficit, however, losing 15-6 to reigning champions Saracens in London.

Johann van Graan’s side failed to follow up their equally-narrow victory on home soil over the same opposition the week before, conceding Sean Maitland and Mako Vunipola tries to see their top two hopes in Pool 4 suffer a blow with two to play.

Fly-half JJ Hanrahan notched two penalties from the tee for the Munstermen’s points, but it was European disappointment for the Irish side as they prepare to resume their Guiness PRO14 campaign on Saturday evening.

Benetton down French leaders

Kieran Crowley’s Benetton have been on the wrong end of a number of tight finishes this season, and it looked like history might repeat itself on Saturday.

Leading 25-22 against Top 14 high-flyers Lyon, Benetton were hanging on when their visitors had one final attack. The home wall held however, and the Italians were able to come away with a first Champions Cup victory since 2015.

It was no more than they deserved after a blistering start saw Leonardo Sarto and Monty Ioane cross. Luca Morisi then produced an incredible cover tackle to deny Pierre-Louis Barassi a try.

And even after Lyon had come back to retake the lead, Marco Lazzaroni was on hand for Tito Tebaldi’s pop pass to burst over for the winning score.

👉🏼 MONDAY MOTIVATION 👈🏼 pic.twitter.com/98o0RNL4PG
— Benetton Rugby 🦁 (@BenettonRugby) December 16, 2019

Warriors worn down by gritty La Rochelle

Glasgow Warriors were another Guinness PRO14 side to be on the receiving end of a tight-fought defeat, going down to a 12-7 loss at Scotstoun against a defiant La Rochelle in Pool 2.

Hooker Fraser Brown went over for Warriors but tries from Jules Favre and Levani Botia proved Dave Rennie’s team undoing, thwarting their pursuit of Exeter Chiefs at the top of the group and leaving them second just three points ahead of Sale Sharks.

And next up for Warriors is the 1872 Cup clash against Edinburgh, hoping to bounce back from their European disappointment on home soil and ascend the Conference A table.

Elsewhere in Champions Cup action, Ospreys succumbed to another defeat against Racing 92 on Friday evening with a disappointing 40-27 loss.

Winger Lesley Klim dotted down twice for the Guinness PRO14 side as well as scores from Luke Morgan and Shaun Venter, but a ruthless onslaught from the French team left them lying bottom in Pool 4 with just a solitary point.

Three sides triumph in Challenge Cup

Five Guinness PRO14 teams were also in European Challenge Cup action, as Dragons, Scarlets and Edinburgh all picked up pivotal European wins.

Dean Ryan’s side toppled Worcester Warriors on Friday night thanks to an Adam Warren try, while Scarlets ran six past Bayonne after two scores from replacement Kieran Hardy and further contributions from Ryan Conbeer, Ryan Elias, Angus O’Brien and experienced Wales international Leigh Halfpenny.

🗨️“We are building something here... It would be a good statement to get some derby wins... I'm looking forward to going into them..."
Fly half @samdavey1993 looking forward to derby season... 🙌 ▶️ https://t.co/7F7kh2bcaH #BringYourFire🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ac5gt7wIok — Dragons 🏉 (@dragonsrugby) December 15, 2019

Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh won in slightly less flamboyant style as they conquered Wasps 9-7 courtesy of a Simon Hickey penalty and two from Jaco van der Walt, but Cardiff Blues were on the wrong end of an equally tight affair in France as an Owen Lane hat-trick was in vain against Pau in a dramatic comeback attempt.

And Zebre also succumbed to defeat, losing 24-10 in Brive with only Tommaso Boni going over for the men from Parma.