Exeter Chiefs winger Matt Jess told BT Sport: "As disappointed as we are, I'm pleased with the win. We'll learn from this experience and I think we'll make top four next year, definitely."

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Leicester Tigers and Saracens have qualified for the Premiership play-offs, while Exeter Chiefs finish fifth.

Wasps have pipped Sale Sharks to the final European Champions Cup place.

Leicester are into the play-offs for the 12th season in a row after a hard-fought victory over their East Midlands' rivals Northampton Saints.

Tigers came out a different side in the second-half after trailing at the break, but were helped by Saints being reduced to 13 men early on.

Tom Stephenson's late try for the visitors made it a nervy final five minutes, but Leicester held on.

Northampton are pushing once again. They are inside the Tigers' 22 with 10 seconds to go.

But it's a penalty to Leicester and this game is as good as over...

Leicester are winding the clock down as Tommy Bell kicks a penalty to the corner.

Line-out to Tigers. Just 90 seconds to go.

We have now reached full-time everywhere apart from at Welford Road - and Saracens have won 68-17 at London Welsh.

We already know Bath beat Gloucester 50-30 at The Rec, and Newcastle Falcons have also beaten Harlequins 37-21, as Andy Saull scores a late try for the hosts.

Elsewhere, London Irish scored a late try though James Short to draw 40-40 with Wasps.

No play-off place for Exeter at the moment despite running in seven tries in the sunshine at Sandy Park.

They've got to hope that Northampton can do them a favour at Welford Road, as the Saints are just six points behind in the closing stages.

That came from absolutely nowhere. Northampton burst forward and work the ball out wide to Tom Stephenson, who darts around a couple of tackles and crosses the try-line.

Sam Oliver misses the conversion, but that try has given Exeter some hope.

They need Northampton to win to move back into the top four.

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With both sides not up to their full compliment of XV, Exeter spread the play this way and that.

The hosts spin it to the right-hand touchline, where Byron McGuian is in acres of space to place down with no one near him.

Sale's season is not ending well. Substitute prop Ross Harrison is sent off for throwing punches to the head of Alex Brown.

The pair became involved in the scuffle after Brown had a hold of Harrison's shirt, but the Sharks prop launches a couple of blows to his head.

Brown, for his part, is sent to the sin-bin so 13 plays 14 to end the game.

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The Welford Road faithful are certainly much happier in this half and in fine voice.

They know their side have virtually sealed a play-off spot for the 12th season in a row.

The game is a much more even contest now Saints have both their sin-binned men back.

Scrum-half Dan Robson scores a converted try for Gloucester at The Rec, but Bath respond with a try of their own, from Horacio Agulla, and the Blue, Black and Whites win the West Country derby 50-30.

Meanwhile, Wasps go back in front at London Irish thanks to a converted James Haskell try. It's 40-35 in that absolute thriller.

Elsewhere, Newcastle Falcons are now 32-21 up against Harlequins.

And Charlie Hodgson adds a great solo try for Saracens, who now lead 68-17 at London Welsh.

Moments after coming on to replace Freddie Burns, Tommy Bell has a penalty to contend with.

However, it's no problem and he kicks it calmly from the tee to extend Leicester's lead to 13 points.

Dylan Hartley is now on the pitch. A number of substitutions for both sides. It also looks as though Freddie Burns is injured and he comes off too.

That is not good news if Leicester make the play-offs, which it looks as though they will do now with just under 15 minutes left.

Northampton are also back up to their full quota of 15.

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We're well into the final quarter of each of our matches. As things stand, Leicester Tigers and Saracens are heading for the play-offs and Exeter Chiefs, despite beating Sale Sharks, look to be heading for final-day heartbreak.

Wasps have a pretty firm grip on a spot in next season's European Champions Cup.

This not how you want to end a glittering career. Mark Cueto, who is retiring after this game, is sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on.

With less than 10 minutes to go, the Premiership's record try scorer will end his 14-year stint unfortunately sat on the bench.

The Chiefs fans do give him a standing ovation as he walks off and he responds by clapping all around the packed Sandy Park.

Sale are back up to their full XV, but are struggling to contain wave after wave of Exeter attacks.

The message looks to have come through that they need points, but Saracens have an 18-point advantage as it stands because of their 61-17 lead at London Welsh.

That was a bit strange. Saints' captain Dylan Hartley, on the bench today, wanders onto the pitch as if he going to come on, but then comes straight back off.

Not sure what happened there to be honest. If I find out I'll let you know!

Chris Ashton has his fourth try of the day and Saracens now lead by 44 points, 61-17, at London Welsh.

And Wasps are now losing 35-33 at London Irish after a Shane Geraghty kick.

Despite being down to 13 men, Northampton are enjoying their best spell of pressure of the second half as they approach the Leicester 22.

However, the move breaks down, Tigers are awarded a penalty and are back on the attack.