The Irish provinces can all put themselves in the driving seat in their respective pools with wins this weekend in the Champions Cup.
And with just two pool clashes to come in the new year, the temperature will only increase both domestically and in Europe as the season kicks into gear with big inter-provincial clashes looming.
Here's all the team news ahead of this weekend's clashes:
Leinster
Scott Fardy comes in to captain Leinster after Johnny Sexton sustained a knee injury - with Leo Cullen naming five changes ahead of Northampton's trip to Dublin.
Ross Byrne starts at fly-half alongside Luke McGrath, will James Tracy and Tadhg Furlong come in at front row.
Leinster: Jordan Larmour, Dave Kearney, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, James Tracy, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Fardy (C), James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Calean Dorris
Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciaran Frawley, Rob Kearney
Munster
Saracens have brought in their big guns after Munster beat the European champions at Thomond Park last week - with Johann van Graan making just one change.
It's John Ryan who comes in at tighthead prop, making his 150th appearance for the province tomorrow.
Munster: Mike Haley, Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls, JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony (capt), CJ Stander.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Nick McCarthy, Dan Goggin, Tommy O’Donnell.
Connacht
The big news coming from Galway ahead of the weekend is that Jack Carty will start at full-back for Connacht in their clash with Gloucester tomorrow.
Carty will play at the back with youngster Craig Fitzgerald favoured at 10. Quinn Roux drops out after three full games in the second row as Ultan Dillane comes in.
Connacht: Jack Carty, Niyi Adeolokun, Kyle Godwin, Bundee Aki, John Porch, Conor Fitzgerald, Caolin Blade; Peter McCabe, Dave Heffernan, Dominic Robertson McCoy, Ultan Dillane, Joe Maksymiw, Eoin McKeon, Jarrad Butler (capt), Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Eoghan Masterson, Stephen Kerins, Tom Daly, Robin Copeland.
Ulster
Dan McFarland has made two changes to his side for tomorrow's Heineken Champions Cup trip to Harlequins tonight.
Matt Faddes comes in on the wing in place of Craig Gilroy, while Kieran Treadwell is in the second-row ahead of Alan O'Connor.
Ulster: Jacob Stockdale, Matt Faddes, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Andrew Warwick, Tom O'Toole, Alan O'Connor, Matthew Rea, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Craig Gilroy.
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