All eyes have been on Israel Folau for the past two weeks after his controversial Instagram post. Stood down last Friday, the Waratahs will take to the field without the star fullback for the first time since his post went public and with the Australian Conference lead on the line, there'll be plenty for the Tahs to play for.
Elsewhere the round is highlighted by a New Zealand derby with the Blues heading to Dunedin, while the Brumbies head to Cape Town on their South African tour.
(Note: All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Chiefs vs. Lions | Sunwolves vs. Hurricanes | Sharks vs. Reds | Highlanders vs. Blues | Waratahs vs. Rebels | Stormers vs. Brumbies
Friday, April 19
Chiefs vs. Lions, 5.35 p.m., FMG Stadium, Waikato
Chiefs: Jack Debreczeni, Sean Wainui, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lenert-Brown, Ataata Moekiola, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Bosher, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Tyler Ardron, Nepo Laulala, Liam Polwart, Angus Ta'avao. Replacements: Samison Tauki'aho, Atu Moli, Sosefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Pita Gus Sowakula, Jonahton Taumateine, Tumua Manu, Shaun Stevenson.
Lions: Sylvian Mahuza; Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Franco Naude, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Gianni Lombard, Ross Cronje; Warren Whiteley, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Stephan Lewies, Carlu Sadie, Robbie Coetzee, Sti Sithole. Replacements: :Malcolm Marx, Frans Van Wyk, Johannes Jonker, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Marnus Schoeman, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Andries Coetzee
Sunwolves vs. Hurricanes, 8 p.m, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Sunwolves: Ryohei Yamanaka, Gerhard van den Heever, Josh Timu, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Semisi Masirewa, Hayden Parker, Jamie Booth, Hendrik Tui, Dan Pryor (c), Ben Gunter, Luke Thompson, Mark Abbott, Hiroshi Yamashita, Nathan Vella, Pauliasi Manu. Replacements: Atsushi Sakata, Masataka Mikami, Takuma Asahara, Tom Rowe, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Fumiaki Tanaka, Jason Emery, Jamie Henry.
Hurricanes: Chase Tiatia, Wes Goosen, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Fletcher Smith, TJ Perenara, Reed Prinsep, Du'Plesss Kirifi, Vaea Fifita, Liam Mitchell, James Blackwell, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Fraser Armstrong. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Sam Henwood, Richard Judd, James Marshall, Billy Proctor.
Sharks vs. Reds, 11.05 p.m., Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Sharks: Curwin Bosch, Sbu Nkosi, Kobus van Wyk, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder (captain) Daniel du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Philip van der Walt, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Beast Mtawarira Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Juan Schoeman, Thomas du Toit, Tyler Paul, Jean-Luc du Preez, Cameron Wright, Marius Louw, Aphelele Fassi.
Reds: Hamish Stewart, Sefa Naivalu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Jack Hardy, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert. Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Harry Hockings, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia'aua, Jock Campbell.
Saturday April 20
Highlanders vs. Blues, 5.35 p.m., Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Highlanders: Ben Smith (cc), Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Luke Whitelock (cc), Aaron Smith, Bryn Gatland, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Blues: Melani Nani, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Reiko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Karl Tu'inukuafe. Replacements: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Josh Goodhue, Jed Brown, Sam Nock, Harru Plummer, Matt Duffie.
Waratahs vs. Rebels, 7.45 p.m., Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (c), Jack Dempsey, Rob Simmons, Jed Holloway, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes. Replacements: Andrew Tuala, Rory O'Connor, Chris Talakai, Tom Staniforth, Will Miller, Nick Phipps, Lalakai Foketi, Curtis Rona
Rebels: Reece Hodge, Jack Maddocks, Tom English (c), Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Richard Hardwick, Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Matt Philip, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru Rangi, Matt Gibbon. Replacements: Hugh Roach, Tetera Faulkner, Sam Talakai, Ross Haylett-Petty, Rob Leota, Michael Ruru, Campbell Magnay, Sione Tuipulotu
Stormers vs. Brumbies, 11.05 p.m., Newlands, Cape Town
Stormers: Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen, Ruhan Nel, Dan Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Josh Stander, Herschel Jantjies, Kobus van Dyk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ernst van Rhyn, Cobus Wiese, Salmaan Moerat, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Corné Fourie, Neethling Fouché, Johan du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Justin Phillips, JJ Engelbrecht, Seabelo Senatla.
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Tom Wright, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano (captain), Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio. Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, James Slipper, Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Darcy Swain, Murray Douglas, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Andy Muirhead.
Bye: Bulls, Crusaders, Jaguares