Super Rugby
It was a good weekend for South African and New Zealand sides and a terrible weekend for Australian sides as all four teams that played lost. The Brumbies continue to have the best season of all the Australian teams but lost to the Blues 16-14 on a late try from Ihaia West. The Waratahs aren't playing like defending champions after yet another loss, this time a 32-18 result to the Stormers. The Reds miserable season continued with a 43-22 loss to the Bulls. Lastly for Australian teams the Force lost to the Cheetahs 24-15.
In South Africa, the win for the Bulls keeps them at the top of the table two points ahead of the Stormers and three points ahead of the Lions. However, the Lions and the Sharks have played nine matches while the Bulls and Stormers have only played eight. Over in New Zealand the Hurricanes hold the top spot even though they had the weekend off. The Chiefs also had the weekend off. In an all New Zealand match, the Highlanders beat the Crusaders 25-20.
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Aviva Premiership
Only three rounds remain in the Premiership season and Northampton hold a six point lead over Saracens and Bath at the top of the table. The Saints put themselves in a vulnerable position after they lost to Exeter 21-10. The win has Exeter sit in fourth place and the last playoff spot. They hold a three point edge over Leicester and a five point edge over Wasps. Saracens are second thanks to their 22-6 win over Leicester while Bath beat Newcastle 29-19. The Wasps kept London Welsh winless with a 40-13 victory. Lastly, London Irish beat Sale 25-23 and Harlequins beat Gloucester 29-26.
Guinness Pro12
Glasgow lead Munster and Ulster by two points at the top of the Guinness Pro12 table while Ospreys have a eight point lead over Leinster for the last playoff spot. Glasgow raced out to another win after they beat Cardiff 36-17. Munster did their part to stay close with a 34-3 result over Edinburgh. Ulster beat Connacht 27-20. The Ospreys beat Benetton Treviso 33-13 while Leinster lost 25-22 to Dragons in a match they couldn't drop. Finally, Scarlets beat Zebre 28-26.
Top 14
One of the best races in Europe is in France where a number of teams can not only make the playoffs but can finish as the top team. Toulon still hold the top spot thanks to their 35-24 win over Grenoble. Patricio Albacete and Louis Picamoles scored for Toulon. Rivals Clermont are two points behind Toulon while Stade Francais are only one point behind Clermont. Stade drew with La Rochelle 19-19 and Clermont lost to Oyonnax 11-10. Racing Metro did like their fellow Parisians with a 24-24 draw with Montpellier. In other scores, Brive beat Lyon 22-20, Toulouse beat Bayonne 20-17, and Castres beat Bordeaux 22-20.
RFU Championship
Rotherham moved into a playoff position over Nottingham after they beat Doncaster 26-25 and Nottingham fell to London Scottish 34-29. With the win the Exiles have a firm grip on third place. Bristol and Worcester are the runaway leaders. Bristol beat Plymouth 65-7 and Worcester beat Leeds 39-26. Moseley have a seven point lead over Plymouth for relegation. They lost to Bedford 31-21. Lastly, Jersey beat Cornish Pirates 28-26.
Pro D2
Pau have sealed promotion after yet another win and have signed Colin Slade as a result. Pau beat Montauban 31-5. Perpiganan, Agen, Mont-de-Marsan, and Biarritz are the teams with 70 points in the table. Perpignan beat Dax 37-8, Agen beat Massy 29-27, Mont-de-Marsan beat Tarbes 47-19, and Biarritz beat Carcassonne 28-11. Albi and Aurillac are also close. Albi beat Aurillac 28-16 in their head to head. Elsewhere, Beziers beat Narbonne 23-22 and Bourgoin beat Colomiers 23-11.
Eccellenza
Rovigo and Calvisano are still the top two teams in the Eccellenza. Rovigo had no trouble beating Mogliano 55-32 and Calvisano beat Lazio 30-20. Mogliano are the only team close to them in the standings. In other scores, Petrarca beat San Dona 22-19, L'Aquila beat Cavalieri 45-26, and Fiamme Oro Roma beat Viadana 23-21.
Shute Shield
The Shute Shield continues to be lopsided with yet another round of big wins. Randwick were the latest team to beat Parramatta, this time 53-7. Souths also beat Easts 43-22 and Norths beat Penrith 66-7. In one of the most closely watched matched Manly beat Sydney University 28-14. Also, Eastwood beat Warringah 39-12 and West Harbour beat Gordon 23-16.
Vodacom Cup
In the Vodacom Cup, the Blue Bulls beat Namibia 44-0, the Falcons beat the Griffons 38-17, and the Lions beat the Pumas 24-16.