The third weekend of the Six Nations can often bring out the gloomier side of rugby fans in Britain and Ireland, for it is the first break weekend in the campaign. After two weekends of nail biting and gripping international rugby we are suddenly deprived, for some reason it comes as a shock every year.

Fear Not.

We are here to offer you some alternatives:

1) As if by magic, the southern hemisphere has done us the courtesy of starting the Super XV this weekend giving us plenty of exciting rugby to get our teeth stuck into beginning with this mornings 30-23 victory from the Melbourne Rebels over Western Force.

2) If Super Rugby seems to wishy washy to you though, do not panic, the Aviva Premiership steps back into the fray this weekend as does the Pro 12. Perhaps the biggest game of the weekend sees the top two in the Premiership, Harlequins and Leicester, clash in a game that will come about as close as any Premiership game can to international intensity.

3) If all of that is not enough for you though, then why not pop along to see the stars of tomorrow play in the Under 18 Aviva Premiership, where Sale today beat Gloucester 34-24 in a thrilling game.

4) Head over to Christ College, Brecon, for thir invitation Sevens tournament. There are some of the most stellar names in school rugby there, including Bryanston, Millfield, St Edwards Oxford, Llandovery College and Cheltenham College. The Sevens season can never start too early.

5) The break weekend can be a useful weekend to convince those non rugby lovers around you that you are in fact not a rugby bore and that you would happily give up the rugby to spend time with them (as a non rugby lover they may not be aware that there is no Six Nations this weekend). This could come in handy next weekend when trying to escape to watch the big game.

6) Enjoy the fact that for the first time in three weeks you can play a game without having to avoid everyone you know afterwards in order to avoid hearing the score…only to innocently read a text with the score on it.

So try not to let the mid Six Nations break put you in a rugby slump, sit back and enjoy the different rugby on offer and remember…it will be back again next weekend.

Live Rugby on TV:

Saturday:

8.30 Brumbies v Queensland Reds (SUPER RUGBY) Sky Sports 3

15.00 Saracens v Exeter (PREMIERSHIP) Sky Sports 2

17.15 Harelquins v Leicester (PREMIERSHIP) Sky Sports 2