The final weekend of domestic rugby before Wales return to Nations Championship action against Japan on Saturday produced a 26-0 victory for Cardiff over the Ospreys, a comfortable Dragons win against Zebre, and a Scarlets defeat to the Bulls in South Africa.
There was also Welsh interest in the Gallagher Premiership, with several players looking to make their mark. Here are the winners and losers from the weekend.
Winners
Olly Cracknell was at the heart of Leicester Tigers' crucial 22-16 victory over Bristol Bears on Friday night, a result that lifted the East Midlands club to the top of the Gallagher Premiership. The 32-year-old, overlooked by Steve Tandy for Wales' squad this month, made more carries than any other Leicester player, completing 13, and topped the Tigers' tackle count with 12.
Steffan Emanuel underlined his growing credentials as a future Wales international with an outstanding display in Cardiff's emphatic 26-0 victory over the Ospreys at St Helen's. The 20-year-old collected the official player of the match award. Tom Bowen was equally instrumental, crossing for two tries in an accomplished attacking display.
Fine Inisi and David Richards made a strong impression in the Dragons' 35-14 victory over Zebre at Rodney Parade. Richards opened the scoring with an excellent individual effort, while Inisi proved a physical problem for the Italian visitors and got his reward with a try of his own.
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones enhanced his growing reputation with two assured performances for the Scarlets, who succumbed to a heavy 54-26 defeat against the Bulls in Pretoria. The 18-year-old outside-half started both matches against the Stormers and Bulls.
Losers
A 26-0 home defeat to Cardiff provoked a furious reaction from Ospreys supporters, with much of the anger on social media directed towards the coaching staff. Head coach Mark Jones has come under fire, but it is attack coach Richard Fussell who has borne the brunt of the criticism.
Pontypool suffered a heavy 49-19 defeat against RGC in North Wales on Saturday, leaving them second from bottom of the Super Rygbi Cymru table.
Louis Rees-Zammit was one of Bristol's brighter performers despite their home defeat to Leicester, producing an excellent individual try in the opening stages. But the 25-year-old also found himself on the wrong side of referee Luke Pearce after questioning one of his decisions. "I suggest you go away now," the referee told Rees-Zammit, before adding, "I'll happily talk to you, but this guy is being absolutely rude. Away."
