And it's a sixth try of the afternoon for Saracens, who are now 45-7 to the good against London Welsh. This time it's Jackson Wray's turn to touch down, while Owen Farrell adds the extras. Not missed a conversion yet, has Farrell.

Harlequins trailing by three points at home to Newcastle Falcons.

Caroline Chapman
BBC Sport at Kingsholm

"The press room at Kingsholm is packed with people crowding round the TV to watch the shenanigans going on at Franklin's Gardens. And there's been a big debate surrounding Hartley's red card.

"Gloucester director of rugby David Humphries even popped his head round the door to get the lowdown, and quizzed members of the RFU sat near by about their thoughts on the matter.

"I imagine he's hoping there won't be a similar discussion during his side's game against Bath later on."

Don't forget, we've got the West Country derby between Gloucester and Bath coming up after we've finished at Franklin's Gardens.

And you can listen to online commentary of all four of this afternoon's Premiership games by clicking on the 'live coverage' tab.

Chris Osborne
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

"There may have been some rugby played in that first half. But it was mainly a car crash of elbows, high tackles and scrappy scrums.

"The home crowd were baying for Tom Croft to go just before the whistle - and his yellow card means the first 10 minutes after the break are pivotal."

Barry rhodes:, external #bbcrugby I hope Hartley gets a decent length ban, everything he does well is wiped out by his cynical play #notacaptain

Tom Jenkinson:, external Regardless of whether you agree with the decision, this has set up a Christmas cracker of a derby. #bbcrugby

Tom Holmes:, external Hartley's red ruining an otherwise good first half for Saints. Big 10 minutes at the start of the second coming up with 14 v 14 #bbcrugby

No surprises that most of the chat has so far been about Dylan Hartley, but where do we think this match is headed? Saints only a point behind at the break...

We're under way again in our two 15:00 GMT kick-offs. To remind you, Newcastle are 7-3 ahead against Harlequins at The Stoop and Saracens are 38-7 up on bottom-side London Welsh at Allianz Park.

Mark McCall's side bagged the quickest bonus point of the season so far in that first half against the Exiles, scoring four tries inside the opening 31 minutes.

That is indeed the last action of the opening 40 minutes as JP Doyle's whistle brings the half to a close. It's a one-point game and one Saints are very much still in. Remember, they trailed May's Premiership semi-final 17-6 at the break and came back to win despite having Salesi Ma'afu sent off.

With only seconds left in the half, fly-half Stephen Myler goes for goal and makes no mistake as his penalty kick sails between the posts.

Tigers make a right mess of their line-out and Northampton break quickly through Ken Pisi. He's brought crashing down and loses the ball in contact just inside the Leicester 10-metre line. JP Doyle goes to the TMO to check the tackle and rules that Tom Croft was high. It's the second high tackle of the half by Leicester so Croft is sent to the bin and Saints have a penalty. For 10 minutes at least, it's 14-a-side.

Caroline Chapman
BBC Sport at Kingsholm

Image source, Caroline Chapman

"Already a chilly one here in Gloucester. Couple of Santas knocking about outside the ground. Bit early, I'd say."

Northampton are penalised yet again at the scrum as they get up while back-pedalling. Owen Williams kicks long into touch and Leicester have good field position deep inside the Saints' half.

Northampton pile on the pressure from the line-out and go through the phases as they go for the line. Luther Burrell runs a fabulous straight line but just when Saints look like they're destined to score, they knock-on twice and Leicester are able to clear after being awarded a penalty following another failed scrum.

Image source, Getty Images

James Hand:, external Great to see Dylan Hartley really has turned a corner. Just a shame it was elbow-first. Into someone's face #nothingchanges #bbcrugby

Dan Eastment:, external What's Dylan Hartley's favourite band? Elbow #bbcrugby

Ben Bradford:, external Just demonstrates why Lancaster would not trust Hartley with England captaincy when he was a candidate. Loose cannon #bbcrugby

What a run from George North, as he races half the length of the pitch to take Saints to the edge of the Leicester 22. Northampton spin the ball to the right and Courtney Lawes goes for the line before being stopped five metres short. They come inside again and are rewarded with a penalty when Graham Kitchener enters a ruck from the side. Rather than go for goal, Stephen Myler kicks for the corner.

And a try at The Stoop at long last! Alesana Tuilagi crosses and, after a lengthy deliberation by the television match official, Newcastle are able to take a 7-3 lead over Harlequins into the interval.

Northampton may be down to 14 men but they won't give up easily and are awarded a penalty for a high tackle by Geoff Parling. Stephen Myler slots it through the posts from about 40 metres out and in doing so becomes the record points scorer at Franklin's Gardens. He has scored 601, one more than former Saints and England fly-half Paul Grayson.

A couple more tries at Allianz Park to tell you about - although London Welsh have this time managed to grab one of them. Chris Ashton scores Saracens' fifth, before Elliott Kear crosses to make it 38-7 at half-time.

It's still 3-0 to Harlequins against Newcastle.

Andy Donley:, external Dylan Hartley is such a frustrating player - top, top drawer hooker, but he's ridiculously ill-disciplined. Liability. #bbcrugby #Saints

Andrew Priestley:, external Correct decision from the TMO, and great credit should go to referee JP Doyle for taking the advice of his TMO. Hartley had to go. #bbcrugby

We have three scrums in a row and Tigers are clearly dominating at the set-piece. It goes down again and referee JP Doyle clearly thinks Northampton are at fault and awards a penalty try. Owen Williams added the simplest of conversions.

With Northampton now without a hooker, centre Tom Stephenson has to make way for replacement hooker Mike Haywood. We'll get back under way with a scrum.