Summary

  • FT: Worcester 14-16 Bath

  • FT: Northampton 35-7 London Irish

  • FT: Gloucester 28-6 Harlequins

  • FT: Sale 23-17 Exeter

Live Reporting

Matt Newsum, Andrew Aloia, Emma Thurston and Brendon Mitchell

  1. Half-time

    Gloucester 23-6 Harlequins

    James Hook has notched up 18 of Gloucester's points today, including the games first try.

    From the moment Charlie Sharples set off a tantalising kick return to start the match, the Cherry and Whites have been on top.

    Gloucester's James Hook on the way to scoring his side's first try against Harlequinsget
  2. try

    Try (Waller, con Myler)

    Northampton 21-0 London Irish

    It was a game of numbers for Northampton as the backs sucked in far too many of Irish's defensive line. 

    Once they'd done that then it was one of the easiest scores that prop Alex Waller will finish and Stephen Myler adds the extras with a little help from the left-hand upright. 

  3. Opportunity knocks

    Northampton 14-0 London Irish

    London Irish finally get their hands on the ball and Shane Geraghty has the opportunity to get them off the mark, however his radar is off.

    Immediately the Saints put their foot on the gas and storm up the field, they're playing with such pace and tempo and yet again their pack do the business and earn another penalty. 

  4. try

    Try (Yeandle, con Steenson)

    Sale 17-7 Exeter

    Game on? You just never know.

    Jack Yeandle has the Chiefs on the board with a try following a spell of sustained pressure, and the deficit is sliced to 10 points thanks to Gareth Steenson's conversion.

  5. Worcester 14-6 Bath

    Carl Kirwan and Matt Banahan in actionGetty Images

    Absolute dominance at the breakdown from Worcester at the moment, their ruckspeed has been Super Rugby-esque and they are eating up yards.

    Tom Homer has snapped a penalty to double Bath's tally but Dean Ryan's Warriors are the dominant force as we edge toward half-time at Sixways.

  6. Kick-off

    Sale 17-0 Exeter

    Sam James of Sale Sharks is tackledGetty Images

    We're back under way at the AJ Bell Stadium, where Gareth Steenson kicks Exeter Chiefs into action.

    Will they be able to eat into Sale's 17-point advantage?

  7. try

    Try (Morgan, con Hook)

    Gloucester 20-6 Harlequins

    Unrelenting pressure finally tells as Harlequins yield and Ben Moran goes over for Gloucester.

    Fine work from Willi Heinz, Matt Kvesic and man-of-the-match-so -far Charlie Sharples sees the Cherry and Whites add their second try of the day.

    It was a good while coming with Marland Yarde defusing danger minutes earlier and a forward pass also costing Gloucester.

  8. try

    Try (O'Callaghan, con Heathcote)

    Worcester 14-3 Bath

    Dean Ryan, Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby looks onGetty Images

    It's all Worcester, and they extended their lead when a smart short-side move down the left was backed up brilliantly by a hungry Warriors attack and finished off by Donncha O'Callaghan.

    Bath have been sloppy in possession, they've conceded penalties and are struggling to gain field position.

    Heathcote has been exemplary from the tee and out of hand, his kick tacked on the extras too.

  9. try

    Try (Penalty try, con Myler)

    Northampton Saints 14-0 London Irish

    It's been a costly 10 minutes for the Exiles while Halani Aulika has been off the park, as Northampton score their second try.

    Referee Tim Wigglesworth doesn't like what he sees when Irish pull down the maul and charges under the posts for the penalty try. This time Stephen Myler nails the very easy extras! 

  10. Gloucester 13-6 Harlequins

    Gloucester and Harlequins line-outGetty Images

    Harlequins are down to 14 men with Ross Chisholm shown a yellow for taking out Billy Burns off the ball after the full-back danced his way into the 22 and tried to kick and chase.

    James Hook adds his second penalty, taking his and Gloucester's tally to 13 for the day.

    For Quins, Nick Evans has slotted two kicks of his own to keep the visitors in touch.

  11. Half-time

    Sale 17-0 Exeter

    It looks a long way back from here for Exeter, doesn't it?

    Tries from Johnny Leota, Nev Edwards and Mike Haley has the hosts 17-0 up at half-time.

  12. try

    Try (Craig, missed con Myler)

    Northampton 5-0 London Irish

    It took a while to construct, however Northampton Saints finally made their man advantage count, after Halani Aulika was sent to the bin earlier.

    Saints' pack delivered a driving maul that forwards coach Dorian West will be very pleased with and James Craig crashes over, although Stephen Myler can't add the extras.

  13. try

    Try (Vuna, con Heathcote)

    Worcester 7-3 Bath

    Cooper Vuna finishes off the try for Worcester, but Bath coach Mike Ford has his side's indiscipline to blame for handing an opportunity to strike with a penalty reversed. 

    The Warriors worked it well from the line-out, Tom Heathcote putting Wynand Olivier through a gap into the Bath 22, and the ball was worked through Chris Pennell to Vuna in space to cross.

    Heathcote slotted the conversion. Worcester move four points ahead.

  14. try

    Try (Haley, con Cipriani)

    Sale 17-0 Exeter

    Danny Cipriani kicksGetty Images

    As good as Sale's record at home is, who'd have predicted this half-time scoreline?

    Danny Cipriani sees a drop-goal attempt late in the half cannon back off the post, but Mike Haley is quickest to react and touches down beneath the posts.

    Cipriani adds the extras and Sale are running riot.

  15. Sale 10-0 Exeter

    Neville Edwards is tackledGetty Images

    A couple of minutes to go until the break in the north west and still Sale lead by 10 points - and they've had the better of the play since that Nev Edwards try too.

  16. Northampton 0-0 London Irish

    Lee Dickson of Northampton is tackled by Halani Aulika of London IrishGetty Images

    Both sides are feeling their way into this game and trading spells of possession. However, neither have gained much from their time on the ball. James Wilson, on his first start of the season, makes a promising break but his kick-on is tided up by London Irish.

  17. Worcester 0-3 Bath

    Worcester's enthusiasm at the ruck gets the better of them, as a tackle without the ball gives Bath a chance to kick for goal.

    Tom Homer takes it. and splits the sticks neatly. Advantage Bath.

  18. Six Nations latest

    France 3-6 Ireland

    France v IrelandGetty Images

    With our four Premiership matches now up and running, half an hour has also flown by in the Six Nations match between France and Ireland - which the Irish are currently leading.

    If you'd like to follow all the action from Paris you can do so by clicking here.

    But we'd prefer you stayed with us, obviously.

  19. try

    Try (Hook, con Hook)

    Gloucester 7-0 Harlequins

    James Hook scores a tryGetty Images

    Stunning start by the hosts. And it all began with Charlie Sharples returning Nick Evans’ kick to start the game.

    Sharples brilliantly races down field, sends a neat kick over and forces Marland Yarde to touch down in goal. From the resulting scrum five metres out, James Hook edges over from close range.

  20. Kick-off

    Gloucester 0-0 Harlequins

    A young Harlequins fan watches playGetty Images

    A light drizzle hangs over Kingsholm as action gets under way. Cold and breezy day of Premiership action ahead.

    Nick Evans kicks proceedings off for Harlequins.