The return of the club competitions in Europe has paved the way for a host of Australians to make a statement.

There were a number of capped Wallabies back in action over the weekend, including a powerful statement from Tom Hooper.

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Aussies Abroad breaks down the weekend that was.

England

Tom Hooper has delivered a player of the match performance as Exeter took down Sale 26-14 in the Premiership.

Hooper had two turnovers and two tackle busts in his first game back from an MCL injury since January 24.

“Great to be back, dropped a few kgs so a few of the boys thoughts I’d be dominated in the contact so hopefully I did my job today,” Hooper said post-match.

“In this Prem, anyone can beat anyone, so every dog has its day, and you have to be on your toes. I’m really happy how we started that first half to show a bit of grit there in the end which is nice.”

There was similar success for Izaia Perese for Leicester, crossing late in a 33-19 win over Bristol, with James O’Connor an unused sub.

Western Force recruit James Ramm continued his fine form, making three tackle busts and three offloads in a narrow 28-27 victory over Newcastle.

France

It was another successful return story in France as Will Skelton made his first appearance since January for La Rochelle.

Skelton was called into the action early for fellow Aussie Kane Douglas, putting together 52 minutes in a 20-6 win over Pau, who started Reece Hewat and Jack Maddocks.

Taniela Tupou continues to fire for Racing 92 as an impact player, scoring again off the bench in a big 52-21 victory over Castres, his fifth try in six games.

Tom Banks scored the winner for Montpellier in a dazzling performance against Clermont, also recording ten tackle busts as they were victorious 20-17.

Rob Leota and Adam Coleman both started for Bayonne and Bordeaux as they defeated Montauban and Toulouse, but Jordan Petaia couldn’t inspire victory for Perpignan against Lyon.

URC

Angus Bell was fit and firing for Ulster, one of their bests in a 26-19 loss to Connacht.

Bell had a monster 15 carries and scored late as the Irish side went down.

Former Waratahs Archer Holtz and Kane Douglas had more success for Scarlets, helping them to a 36-17 win over Zebre.

Ex-Red Ryan Smith started for Ospreys as they went down 31-19 to Benetton.

Japan

Samu Kerevi continues to pile on the tackle busts in defeat for Urayasu D-Rocks, recording nine and a try in a 59-35 defeat to Kubota Spears.

Bernard Foley came off the bench for Kubota, nailing his two shots at goal.

It was a similar story for Isaac Lucas, who had five tackle busts in a 31-7 loss for BlackRams Tokyo against Saitama Wild Knights.

Sean McMahon crossed for Tokyo Sungoliath as they lost 35-32 to Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars