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The absence of the Six Nations this weekends provides bodies time to rest and attention to turn back to the domestic leagues. And there is plenty to get excited about in the Aviva Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14. But which teams are set for a big weekend and which players will shine? Player to watch Premiership (Martyn Thomas): Jack Willis. Wasps continued their quiet march up the table last weekend with a hugely impressive 44-22 victory at Harlequins, despite playing for over an hour with 14 men. At the heart of that performance was young back row Willis, who made 16 tackles and 41 metres with ball in hand. His form was rewarded this week with a new contract at the Ricoh Arena, and you can expect another all-action outing from him against Exeter this weekend. PRO14 (Cillian O Conchuir): Justin Tipuric. One of 11 players released by Wales back to their regions this week, Tipuric has a point to prove. The British & Irish Lions tourist had a thigh injury last year which was far from ideal preparation for the autumn Tests and only made the bench for the opening two Six Nations games against Scotland and England. With Taulupe Faletau on the road to recovery, he needs a big performance with the Ospreys to keep himself in the frame for Wales' trip to Ireland. Top 14 (James Harrington): Jules Plisson. France's forgotten international fly-half has been notable by his absence from the international roll call, overtaken in the pecking order by bright young things Matthieu Jalibert and Anthony Belleau -- and, it turns out also by old heads Lionel Beauxis and Francois Trinh-Duc. Stade Francais' trip to Toulon this weekend offers Plisson, 26, an ideal opportunity to show France's selectors just what they are missing with a strong performance. Game of the weekend Prem: Wasps vs. Exeter, Sunday, 3 p.m. Wasps entertain table-topping Exeter at the Ricoh Arena knowing a bonus-point would take them to within two points of the Chiefs. The hosts have lost just one of their last eight Premiership games to climb to third, having endured something of a stumbling start to the season. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have lost their last two in the league and could surrender top spot with a third successive defeat. With the playoffs coming into view, it could prove a defining afternoon. PRO14: Leinster vs. Scarlets, Saturday, 3.15 p.m. Both teams are level on points, and look set to reach the last four of the competition. But this fixture will go some way to deciding who takes a home semifinal in the PRO14. Some players will have international aspirations ahead of the final three rounds of the Six Nations, and this match provides an excellent opportunity for all involved to throw their hats into the international ring. Top 14: Racing vs. La Rochelle, Sunday, 3.50 p.m. Third versus second. Ten matches remaining in the regular season and a bye to the semifinals of the playoffs at stake. This is the stage at which points in the bag start to become vital, particularly for two sides separated only by points difference after 17 rounds. A Vincent Rattez try was the difference between the two sides as La Rochelle won the reverse fixture in early October. Whoever wins here will steal a potentially crucial advantage over their closest rivals. Potential upset Prem: Worcester vs. Gloucester, Saturday, 3 p.m. Buoyed by their away win over champions Exeter last weekend, Worcester will host Gloucester on Saturday full of confidence. That victory was aided by a huge defensive effort as the Warriors made a mammoth 176 tackles at Sandy Park. The Cherry and Whites are not a team who shirk their defensive responsibilities, either, so expect another tight encounter at Sixways this weekend. PRO14: Cardiff Blues vs. Munster, Saturday, 5.30 p.m. The Blues' victory over Cheetahs last time out was a statement of intent from the Welsh side. They want to qualify for the Champions Cup next year and a good run in the final stretch would see that become a reality. It is hardly a weak Munster team with the likes of Simon Zebo involved, but Cardiff would put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack in the fight for automatic qualification were they to seal victory and other results go their way. Top 14: Bordeaux vs. Castres, Sunday, 11.30 a.m. The fortnight's break in the Top 14 that comes with the first two rounds of the Six Nations could not have come at a better time for Castres. After seven domestic wins on the bounce between October and January, they lost two in a row, first at lowly Agen and then at home to Racing 92. The break has given them chance to regroup ahead of this must-win trip to Bordeaux, whose own bid for the playoffs has stalled somewhat since Rory Teague took over as head coach from France-bound Jacques Brunel at the start of the year. Big weekend for... Prem: Bath. Todd Balckadder's side have won four successive games in all competitions, but will need a fifth if they are to keep pace with the teams above them in the fight for a playoff pace. Bath will once again be without Taulupe Faletau -- who continues his rehab with Wales -- and Luke Charteris, due to Newcastle's artificial pitch, but Beno Obano is back. A win could take Bath as high as third, but defeat could see them slip below both Sale and the Falcons. Ahead of a key period of the season, the stakes are clear. PRO14: International head coaches have used the Six Nations fallow weekend to send fringe players back to their provinces and regions to prove a point, and their fitness. Injuries have been a big part of this year's championship so far and this weekend gives a host of squad members the opportunity to put themselves in line for a starting place once the Six Nations resumes. Top 14: Brive. After a dismal start to the season, in which they picked up a solitary losing bonus-point in their opening six games, the 1997 European champions have fought their way to the heady heights of 12th, courtesy in no small part to back-to-back January victories over Montpellier and Toulon at Stade Amedee Domenech. The Correze side are at back at home this week, after a La Rochelle away-day last time out, and will be looking to overtake Stade Francais in 11th with another crucial win over Pau.
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