Exeter Chiefs centre Joe Hawkins has been handed a three-week ban following his red card incident in the recently concluded European Champions Cup game against Bayonne.

Bayonne ran a six-try riot as they went on to defeat Exeter Chiefs 40-17 in the final group stage game in the ongoing Investec Champions Cup at Stade Jean Dauger on Sunday.

Northampton Saints have qualified for the knock out stage of the Investec Champions Cup as they defeated Bayonne 61-14 in the latest round at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

Munster Rugby have announced a stadium ban for a spectator following an incident in the recently concluded Investec Champions Cup game against Bayonne.

Exeter's tighthead prop spoke to TRU's Joe Harvey about his journey to Sandy Park which includes spells in the National Leagues and in France.

Bayonne have confirmed the signing of Samoa international Afa Amosa as an injury cover.

Lonon Irish scored seven tries as they got their first win in the European Challenge Cup with a 45-31 victory over Bayonne at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Gloucester Rugby ran a 10-try riot as they trounced Bayonne by 64-19 at Kingsholm on Saturday to secure a home quarter-final game in the ongoing European Challenge Cup tournament.

La Rochelle have claimed the top position in the Pool 1 one of the European Challenge Cup competition after securing a 14-24 win over Bayonne at Stade Jean-Dauger on Thursday.

Benetton Treviso managed to overcome double yellow card scare in the second half to edge out Bayonne by 21-17 in the European Challenge Cup encounter at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday.

La Rochelle ran eight tries at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre to handover 51-24 drubbing to Bayonne during the 2016-17 European Rugby Challenge Cup pool clash on Thursday.

England international Jonny May made a successful comeback after 10 months as seven-try Gloucester defeated Bayonne in their European Challenge Cup encounter at Stade Jean-Dauger on Saturday.

Italy prop Lorenzo Cittadini has returned back to French fold after signing a deal with Bayonne.

Munster have announced the signing of Australia international lock Mark Chisholm.

French club Bayonne have announced the signings of England-capped back Mathew Tait on a two-year contract and All Black Tom Taylor, who has agreed a three-year deal.

Zebre won their first European match at the 14th time of asking as they beat Brive 26-21 while there were also European Rugby Challenge Cup wins for London Irish, La Rochelle, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

With the cold snap across France waning, the 18th round of the Top 14 sees a full complement of fixtures as the battle for the play-offs and relegation heats up.

Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne and Toulon edged closer towards confirming their play-off status with victories as the 17th round of the Top 14 was affected by the cold snap that saw the France versus Ireland match postponed this weekend.

Clermont Auvergne kept up the pressure on leaders Toulouse as both sides secured away victories in the sixteenth round of the French Top 14.

The French Top 14 returns this weekend after mixed results in European competitions for its sides.