AFTER a dramatic weekend in the RBS Six Nations – where Scotland picked up a first Calcutta Cup triumph against England in a decade – it is the turn of our local sides to take the spotlight after a week of rest and recuperation.

Only London Irish were in action last Sunday, and they picked up a rare victory against fellow strugglers Worcester at Madejski Stadium.

It was only their second win of the season in 16 outings but, unfortunately, it still leaves them 12 points adrift of Worcester and holding up the table ahead of an even tougher Aviva Premiership challenge this Sunday when they travel to third-placed Wasps.

Redingensians Rams, currently fourth in the National Two South table on points difference behind Taunton Titans, host lowly Wimbledon (2.30pm).

On current form they should add another scalp to their unbeaten four-match run and keep alive their hopes of a top-three finish.

It’s their first home game since January as all of February’s winning scorelines, Broadstreet (36-14), Old Redcliffians (21-14) and Barnstaple (38-31) were achieved on the road, so hopefully they’ll turn on the style back at their Old Bath Road ground.

At the same time as Rams do battle, it’s the local clash of the day up at Rosehill where hosts Reading Abbey, currently seventh in the Southern Counties North table, and town rivals Reading, a point behind them in eighth, each go in search of only their second winning scoreline of 2018.

Derby encounters always add an little extra tension and commitment from both sides so, as in the past, it should be a real humdinger.

My boys Reading, in fact, already have the upper hand as they won earlier in the season at Holme Park back in November (46-10), and we would dearly love to complete the double.

Strangely, both teams collected their only win so far this year on the same day, January 27, when Abbey triumphed 43-7 at Drifters and Reading beat visitors Stow-on-the-Wold 37-10.

Lastly on Saturday, Berkshire Shire Hall host the side above them in the BB&O Championship table, Phoenix, at Sonning Lane.