After a one-week burst of Guinness PRO14 action, European rugby returns for a third round of drama.

Perhaps the game of the week comes at Thomond Park, where Munster have a score to settle against a Saracens side that knocked them out of the Champions Cup in last season’s semi-finals.

Much has been made of Saracens’ off-field trouble, with a hefty 35-point deduction forcing them to focus much of their efforts on fighting relegation in the Premiership.

They have endured a mixed start to their European defence too, with one defeat to Racing 92 and a victory against Ospreys leaving them third in the group.

But Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony claims they are still the standard-setters and insists his side must be at their best to leave with the points.

Staying on the Emerald Isle, and Leinster also face a juicy encounter as they face off with fellow high-flyers Northampton Saints.

As we head into R3 of European action, some interesting clashes are thrown up 👀@leinsterrugby travel to @SaintsRugby in a tasty duel, but which slick centre will reign supreme?@RoryJHutchinson 🆚 @RingroseG - backing the href=“https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuinnessPRO14?src=hash&refsrc=twsrc%5Etfw”>#GuinnessPRO14 man??

Read👉 https://t.co/Sp0TY8MDa0 pic.twitter.com/qqfRtbpBQA
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) December 4, 2019

Leinster’s international contingent are all back in action following the World Cup and with the Six Nations less than two months away, now is the time to start pressing claims for a jersey.

But Cian Healy is blocking any thought of a call-up, focussing only on the Guinness PRO14 champions.

Heading across the Irish Sea, and Edinburgh fans will breathe a sigh of relief to know flanker Hamish Watson emerged unscathed from their clash with Munster.

Watson suffered a knee injury in Scotland’s first World Cup game against Ireland, a knock that should have kept him on the sidelines for 12 weeks. He made it back in nine and featured against Munster, and he’s now ready to get back in form.

Across in Glasgow, and Warriors centre Kyle Steyn also told Scrum Magazine that he hardly had to think twice before penning a new deal.

The versatile back will remain at the club until at least the end of the 2021-22 season.

In Wales, Josh Adams can’t wait to pull on the Cardiff Blues jersey for the first time when they face Pau on Saturday.

But there is bad news for the Dragons, with the South Wales Argus reporting that wing Dafydd Howells could be out for the rest of the season with an elbow injury.