Leicester and Northampton both won to book LV= Cup semi-final spots, while Scarlets also managed a last-four spot despite losing at Sale.
Hendre Fourie scored a try on his home debut to give Sale a 19-14 win but Scarlets were still able to reach the semi-finals of the LV= Cup.
Northampton booked a place in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup with Jamie Elliott scoring twice in their 57-10 romp against London Wasps.
A masterly kicking display from London Irish full-back Tom Homer condemned defending champions Gloucester to a 23-15 LV= Cup defeat.
Leicester booked themselves an LV= Cup semi-final spot after seeing off the challenge of Newcastle 24-13 at Welford Road.
Worcester completed their LV= Cup campaign with a hard-fought but deserved 24-14 win over a competitive Ospreys at a freezing Sixways.
The Cheetahs struck a crucial pre-season blow when they edged the Stormers 22-14 in their Super Rugby warm-up match at Newlands on Saturday.
France started their RBS 6 Nations campaign with a comfortable 30-12 defeat of Italy in Paris on Saturday.
World Cup finalists France handed new coach Philippe Saint-Andre a winning start in the Six Nations with a 30-12 victory over Italy at a freezing Stade de France on Saturday.
Toby Faletau wants Wales to move on from the agony of their World Cup campaign - starting with Sunday's Six Nations opener against Ireland.
Paul O'Connell believes a feelgood factor surrounding the Irish provinces' march on Europe this season has permeated the national squad.
James Hanks will skipper Exeter in Sunday's LV= Cup clash with Bath (kick-off 5pm).
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