Rugby's return after the Six Nations brings fresh energy to the Premiership as title races intensify and new storylines emerge across both men's and women's competitions.

The weekend delivered a mixture of stunning try-fests and tactical chess matches that have dramatically reshaped the league table. Bath continue their dominance at the summit, now six points clear of Bristol in second, while just six points separate positions three through seven with six rounds remaining. Every match now carries playoff implications.

Leicester Tigers' emphatic 33-0 victory at Franklin's Gardens exposed a rusty Northampton Saints side that conceded an astonishing 29 turnovers. Sale Sharks, reinvigorated by George Ford's return, demonstrated championship credentials with a composed 39-15 win against Newcastle, while Harlequins stunned Saracens 23-12 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to Jamie Benson's game-changing introduction at fly-half.

The undoubted highlight came at Ashton Gate where Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs delivered 90 points of entertainment in a 52-38 thriller featuring six tries in the opening 15 minutes alone. Meanwhile, Bath's extraordinary squad depth proved decisive yet again as they overcame Gloucester 42-26 with Finn Russell orchestrating proceedings masterfully.

The Women's Six Nations also kicked off with France defeating a spirited Ireland 27-15, Scotland narrowly overcoming Wales 24-21, and England demonstrating their impressive depth in a 38-5 victory against Italy. Standout performers included Ireland's Aoife Wafer, Scotland's electric back three, and England's emerging talents Mia Venner and Emma Sing.

With European competition temporarily interrupting domestic action next weekend, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the season. Will anyone catch Bath, or are they destined for their first Premiership title since 1996? Subscribe now to follow our analysis of rugby's most exciting storylines as they unfold!