Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of December 26-28

The Christmas period can often make a dent in the momentum of some sports; thankfully, rugby isn't one of them.

As the festive schedule rolled around, Europe's bastions kept on chugging away at their normal pace, with certain Aviva Premiership, Pro12 and Top 14 sides even managing to outdo themselves in the frost.

It wasn't such a jolly time for all, though, so while the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Newport Gwent Dragons and Australia coach Michael Cheika had cause to be upbeat, Leinster and Cardiff Blues were among those less cheery parties.

Read on for a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from around the world of rugby this weekend.

Winner: Wallabies See Their Wing Options Improve

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A depth in wingers—or lack thereof—has been a cause of some discomfort for Cheika during his first six months in charge of the Australian national team, but things are looking up of late.

Fittingly timed around the Christmas celebrations, Wallabies fans recently found out Nick Cummins would be making his way back to Western Force for the 2015 Super Rugby season.

On top of that, James O'Connor will soon make his return to the southern hemisphere with the Queensland Reds, and as Dale Granger of Perth Now puts it, the options at left wing are massively boosted as a result.

Cummins' loan return from Japanese outfit Coca-Cola Red Sparks and O'Connor reaching the end of his time with Toulon sees two potentially terrific assets come back into contention for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Of course Australia will lead a great deal many more revelations if their World Cup hopes are to be reversed entirely, but this isn't a bad way to enter the new year.

Loser: Leinster Suffer Double Defeat to Rivals Munster

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For the first time since 2008, Munster have achieved a home-and-away double over Leinster after defeating their Dublin rivals 28-13 at Thomond Park on Boxing Day.

Their October win at the Aviva Stadium was seen as a turning point for Anthony Foley's side, but if there were any notion the victory was a one-off, belief will have grown as a result of this win.

While Leinster have been Ireland's more in-form outfit in recent seasons, entering this Pro12 campaign as the reigning champions, Munster have been in a state of transition, coping with numerous notable player departures.

However, Foley says his team are coming up a "new breed" following Friday's win, quoted by the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley as saying:

"

Yeah, and it’s good for them to watch it as well and see what it looks like. They obviously have done it in the past and are the main flagbearers for Munster and it’s great confidence for them to see the boys who are stepping in and doing it. It gives them a boost as well.

They came out and went after the game from minute one. Obviously everything is disrupted around Christmas, so we’ll be looking for Santa to come the day before every game. The disruption didn’t faze them at all. They went out about their job and got on with the game, and played with a good tempo and a good physicality.

"

Ireland are very much one of the world's titans to watch in 2015 and Joe Schmidt can thank a burgeoning contingent of Munster men for that development.

After several seasons in relative shade, it could be the Limerick crowd are coming upon a new era of prosperity, with this derby double showing they're ready to return to former glory.

Winner: Jonny Wilkinson Edging Closer to Godliness with Knighthood Approaching

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It hasn't even been a year since he took his leave of the sport, but Jonny Wilkinson is already nailed on to receive a knighthood at the beginning of 2015.

Simon Boyle and Patrick Hill of the Mirror report the former Newcastle Falcon will be among those recognised in the New Year honours list, and there are few as deserving of the accolade.

It will be just over 12 years after his last-gasp drop goal won England the 2003 Rugby World Cup and a little under 12 months since his heroics helped lead Toulon to a domestic and European double.

The achievements at each end of the spectrum help to illustrate what a sensationally gifted talent the fly-half was—and probably still could be had he wished to carry his career on.

Not only for his work on the pitch is Wilkinson being recognised, but the 35-year-old has also done extensive work in the charity field to further depict what an incredible character he is.

Loser: Blues Burned by Dragons in Wales' Boxing Day Derby

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Cardiff Blues coach Mark Hammett chose to hold back some of his first-string options for the Boxing Day visit of Newport Gwent Dragons and the travelling party made him pay for his negligence.

The Blues were only just successful in claiming a losing bonus point after rallying to a 23-17 defeat, although it did look far more dire for the hosts at times.

This was just the Dragons' second away victory over the Blues, albeit not enough to see Kingsley Jones' men climb above their Welsh rivals in the Pro12 standings.

Nevertheless, this was a bitter loss to take for the Blues, who despite their potential continue to endure a disappointing first season under Hammett's guidance.

Winner: Wales Add Emerging Talent to Growing Dual-Contract List

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As Wales seek to make the concept of dual contracts a more amicable prospect to the country's best and brightest, the WRU have succeeded in tying down the loyalties of Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan and Rhodri Jones this week.

Per ESPN Scrum, Amos (Dragons), Morgan (Dragons) and Jones (Scarlets) have joined compatriots Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate in helping to pioneer the still-fresh contract method.

All three of those mentioned are aspiring members of Warren Gatland's Wales squad and will be looking to work more intimately with the team in 2015, something which their new loyalties show to be plausible.

The agreement ensures the trio at least won't be tempted by those options abroad, which in recent seasons have been a major temptation for players seeking more lucrative terms.

The departures of in-prime players such as Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Mike Phillips has in the past been frustrating, but if Wales were to start losing its emerging talent, that would be of far greater concern to the WRU.