There are plenty of movers and shakers as another weekend of Guinness PRO14 action swings into town and teams start to put the last touches to their weekend preparations.

The final helping of rugby before the European break, sides will look to sign off on a high and settle themselves in the standings in Round 6 of the season.

One of the teams jostling for position at the top is Connacht, whose impressive start sees them sit second, just a point behind Munster in Conference B.

As they prepare for the visit of Leinster to the Sportsground on Friday night, good news abounds in Galway as Andy Friend’s men prepare for what will be a stiff task.

The returning World Cup contingent ofBundee Aki and Jack Carty will provide a welcome boost, while the news that Jarrad Butler has signed a new contract should fill supporters with confidence.

Elsewhere in Ireland, there is worse news for Munster as key manJoey Carbery is ruled out for the foreseeable future with an ankle injury that was worsened during World Cup duties.

He will be deputised by JJ Hanrahan and Tyler Bleyendaal, and reportedly will not require any surgery on the affliction.

Over in Scotland, Edinburgh Rugby are another side will welcome back a number of internationals, withMagnus Bradbury speaking about his keen focus for his domestic game after a “mental rollercoaster” of a World Cup.

It is a similar story over in Glasgow, with Scott Cummings looking to hit the ground running as he makes his return to Dave Rennie’s side.