John Cooney's kicking got Ulster up and running, while Connacht's Craig Ronaldson fell just short and Munster ran riot in Pro14.
Danny Cipriani produced a sensational pass for Charlie Sharples' try while Billy Twelvetrees kicked 17 points in Gloucester's victory.
Bryan Byrne's late try and Ross Byrne's subsequent conversion saw champions Leinster snatch victory over Cardiff Blues in the Pro14.
The opening game of the 2018-19 Premiership season saw newly promoted Bristol Bears defeat Bath 17-10 in a lively west-country derby.
Rassie Erasmus has included Cheslin Kolbe in a 31-man squad for Rugby Championship fixtures against Australia and New Zealand.
Full-back Dane Haylett-Petty does not feel it is time for widespread changes as Australia lick their wounds following two drubbings.
New Zealand prop Joe Moody will be out for six weeks due to an injured thumb, with Angus Ta'avao called up as his replacement.
New Zealand thumped Australia in back-to-back Rugby Championship games, but Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's job is safe.
Beauden Barrett made history with his phenomenal display against Australia on Saturday. We pick out the best statistics using Opta data.
Jimmy Gopperth will miss much of the new season as a result of cruciate ligament damage sustained against Connacht.
David Pocock has been preferred to Michael Hooper in the first Australian Conference players' team of the year in Super Rugby.
After 154 appearances for the Brumbies and 72 for Australia, Ben Alexander retired on Monday.
Montpellier failed to exact revenge on Castres in a repeat of the Top 14 final, losing their first game of the season at Altrad...
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Dylan Hartley has been called a "brilliant captain" by Owen Farrell, who led England in the hooker's absence during the South Africa tour.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen will not get sidetracked from his plan to make changes against Argentina by the Pumas' win over South Africa.
South Africa fell well below the standard expected by coach Rassie Erasmus in their defeat to Argentina on Saturday.