The Champions Cup pool stages came to an end this weekend, with the Scarlets and Ospreys suffering heavy defeats.
Cardiff saw their Champions Cup clash with Toulouse cancelled, prompting French rugby bosses to explode with rage.
So, another standard weekend then.
Here's the winners and losers...
WINNERS
Ryan Conbeer
There was a point in the first-half of the Scarlets' clash with Bristol when the away side spilled the ball forward right on the Scarlets' try-line.
In a flash, Ryan Conbeer was already out of his own 22 - jinking halfway to Swansea as he threatened to go coast-to-coast. It summed up what makes the Scarlets winger so exciting to watch.
There's a stunning quality to Conbeer. He doesn't so much sidestep as just shift his body position and momentum slightly, evading and eluding tacklers without losing any speed.
It's a joy to behold. You know, because of that, he has the beating of virtually anyone in front of him at any time.
That the 22-year-old is not a regular starter on the wing at Parc y Scarlets might be down to fitness, aerial or defensive concerns - such are the usual tropes for young, exciting wingers. The latter was answered with one stunning cover tackle when Bristol had numbers.
Dwayne Peel picked him out as the standout performer on Saturday night. The hope now is that he gets regular minutes to build on a dazzling display.
Harri Deaves
There were few shining lights in the Ospreys' European defeat to Sale on the weekend.
Toby Booth's mix-and-match side were outmuscled and outplayed by the English outfit as their miserable European campaign came to an end.
However, there was one consolation for supporters - the performance of debutant flanker, Harri Deaves.
In his first senior appearance, the Wales U20s openside shone in a losing cause - crossing for a try as he took his chance with both hands.
On a weekend when social media was sent into overdrive by the suggestion that there are no promising young players coming through in Wales, the emergence of Deaves is a timely reminder that it's not all bad.
Rhys Patchell
It's been a while since Rhys Patchell started a match for the Scarlets after a nightmarish couple of years with injury.
But, back in the 10 jersey, the Wales fly-half proved that the Scarlets are quite simply a different side with him running the show.
Classy throughout, his range of passing and intent to carry hard to the line helped the Scarlets rediscover some attacking flair that's often looked blunt since the free-wheeling heydays circa 2018.
Along with Scott Williams, he ensured the Scarlets found the edge time and time again - providing the space for their strike-runners to create problems for Pat Lam's side.
There was the odd defensive mishap, but he ended proceedings with a lot more pros than cons.
The recent rumours of a move across the border are a concern. The Scarlets are infinitely better with Patchell in their side.
The welcome return of fans
Ok, so Scarlets fans might not exactly feel too grateful after watching their side ship 52 points.
But for the first time since October, there were supporters present at Parc y Scarlets.
Around 7,000 were there to cheer on Dwayne Peel's side in a welcome boost for Welsh rugby.
It's not been easy in recent weeks as the regions have been forced back behind closed doors. They needed this.
LOSERS
Hugh Hogan
The former Leinster coach came from Ireland with plenty of plaudits last summer, tasked with shoring up a Scarlets rearguard that had gone awry without a de facto defence coach.
Clearly, he's got a job on his hands.
Rugby statistician Russ Petty pointed out that in the Scarlets' last three European games, they've conceded 57 points at home against Sale, 45 away to Bordeaux and now 52 at home against Bristol.
Anyone who saw the Bristol match would at least admit that Saturday night was a totally different performance to last season's tepid nadir against Sale, but the simple fact is that points came too easily for Bristol.
Throughout, the Scarlets defence was simply too easy to break down.
Is that a system issue? Individual error? Or even the lack of minutes the west Walians have played in recent months?
That's for Hogan to determine - and fast.
Ospreys attack
It's hardly a new problem, but once again, the Ospreys' attack showed itself to be more than just a little blunt.
Sale away is hardly the match to judge their exploits with ball-in-hand, given the number of players missing, but the same inaccuracies and flaws plagued them.
It's a constant that, in some games, can get covered up if their set-piece fires. But when they're out-muscled - as was the case on Saturday - it's apparent they're not offering enough behind the scrum.
Contrasting reactions to European injustice
Some people might look at the French reaction to Toulouse's clash with Cardiff being cancelled and think it's a little overboard.
Certainly, having the French Minister of Sport wading in might be a bit overboard - particularly when other French sides haven't received that same support.
And the irony of the cancellation of the match meaning Toulouse actually ended up with an easier draw in the knockout round isn't lost on some.
However, in a shambolic campaign when virtually all clubs can probably claim to have been hard-done by, the backbone shown by French rugby as a whole in the face of a perceived injustice is admirable at least.
Welsh rugby's regions have all in some way or other been on the rough end of decisions. While they didn't exactly have to threaten a day in court, perhaps more could have been done on their end.
Want the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to you? Look no further.
