Investec Champions Cup action was rounded up on Saturday, where Northampton opened with a bonus point win against Castres and Exeter beat the Sharks in South Africa.
Northampton 38-8 Castres
The Gallagher Premiership champions were quick out of the blocks at Franklin Gardens to go through captain Fraser Dingwall's effort, but Castres reduced the deficit with a Louis le Brun penalty as Storm Darragh made life difficult in Mid- the land of the East.
The Saints were firmly in control when Temo Mayanavanua moved over and Tommy Freeman threw a wide pass for Juarno Augustus to take the corner, while Curtis Langdon got the bonus point before number eight Augustus claimed a second.
Pierre Colonna came down to give Castres some cheer but Henry Pollock rounded off an impressive Saints display with a stunning solo finish.
The Saints' next task is at the Challenge Cup in South Africa next Saturday with a trip to the Southern Hemisphere to take on the Bulls.
Sharks 39-21 Exeter Chiefs
The Chiefs took an early lead through a Dan Frost try as they went down to 14 – with Greg Fisilau in the sin bin, only for the Challenge Cup holders to take control to go over four times themselves.
Dan Frost registered two first half tries for Exeter Chiefs in their defeat in South Africa
Pepsi Butelezi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams and Siya Kolisi scored for the Sharks, while Frost claimed a second score at the end of the first half to leave the visitors 26-14 at the interval.
Kolisi's second try extended the Sharks' lead before England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso claimed a cross-field kick for Exeter's third score.
Despite the Sharks being reduced to 12 men for around six minutes later with three players sent to the sin bin in quick succession, Exeter could not get a fourth try and a point to register a bonus.
What else happened in the Champions Cup?
ASM Clermont Auvergne Benetton shut out Stade Marcel-Michelin 28-0, Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa both crossing twice and Benjamin Urdapilleta converting all four tries.
Toulon overcame a 14-10 interval deficit to record an impressive 24-14 success at the Stormers. Gabin Villiere, Facundo Isa and Baptiste Serin crossed for visitors France, while Warrick Gelant and Joseph Dweba scored tries for hosts South Africa.
Lyon 37-26 Cardiff Rugby
Cardiff had to settle for a bonus point after kicking off their European Challenge Cup campaign with a thrilling 37-26 defeat at Lyon.
Matt Sherratt's side came back strongly in the second half and tries from Ellis Bevan and Gabriel Hamer-Webb gave them hope of an improbable victory, only for the French side to respond well in the closing stages.
A quick response from Esteban Gonzalez, followed by two penalties from Martin Meliande, ended the visitors' hopes.
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