Summary

  • Exeter go top with 32-17 win over Newcastle

  • Wasps beat Leicester 36-24 to go third

  • Northampton go fourth with 26-11 win over Sale

  • Worcester beat Gloucester 28-20 for back-to-back wins

  • London Irish face Saracens in New Jersey later (20:00 GMT)

  1. That's all folks...published at 17:05

    So, for the time being at least, Exeter Chiefs are top of the Premiership.

    Saracens will have a say about whether they stay there later this evening.

    We're off for a lie down, but as I say, we'll be back later for that battle in the Big Apple. Until there, cheerio.

  2. Battle in the Big Applepublished at 17:00

    London Irish v Saracens (20:00 GMT)

    Not since The Clash brought Times Square to a stand-still, external in 1981 has a bunch of blokes from across the Atlantic prompted such curiosity and interest in New York.

    The sight of London Irish players promoting tonight's Premiership Rugby match at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey was unusual - far from the usual pre-match build up.

    Reporter Adam Williams has been out in America covering the trip - see his piece here.

    You can follow the game with BBC Sport later, with live radio and text commentary.

    Topsy OjoImage source, Getty Images
  3. Still to come...published at 16:58

    That's not all we have for you in the Premiership today, though.

    There's the matter of another game later which will see English rugby's top flight break new ground.

  4. All over in the Premiershippublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Phew, what an afternoon it's been in the Premiership, full of tries and late drama.

    Hopefully, there's plenty more of that to follow in the second 40 minutes at Twickenham.

    England lead Wales 16-0 at half-time and you can follow the second half here.

  5. Full-timepublished at 16:52 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    FT: Exeter Chiefs 32-17 Newcastle Falcons

    A flattering look to the full-time score at Sandy Park after a rollercoaster of an afternoon.

    The first-half was turgid but the second exploded in a shower of points.

    Falcons held their way until the last quarter when the Chiefs showed their title mettle to run in two late scores.

    The bonus point makes it a two-point gap on Saracens at the top - though their game against London Irish comes later.

  6. try

    Try (Taione, con Steenson)published at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Exeter Chiefs 32-17 Newcastle Falcons

    Elvis Taione just got the ball down after a big scramble. That's the bonus point.

  7. Exeter Chiefs 25-17 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:46

    Ollie Woodburn unable to bring in a bobbling ball that would have given the Chiefs a try bonus point.

    He doesn't though but with three and bit minutes to go it's game over at Sandy Park.

  8. try

    Try (Hill)published at 16:43

    Exeter Chiefs 25-17 Newcastle Falcons

    Sam Hill sends Exeter to the top of the Premiership at least for just a couple of hours with a try to deflate Newcastle.

    It's cruel on Newcastle who have fronted up throughout. But this is the kind of ruthless edge that will make the Chiefs genuine title contenders.

  9. Penalty (Steenson)published at 16:39

    Exeter Chiefs 20-17 Newcastle Falcons

    Cool, calm, collected, kicked it.

    Gareth Steenson again, edges Exeter ahead. The way this game has gone though, it's not over yet.

    10 to play.

  10. Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:37

    When the game is so open, exciting and enjoyable to watch I do wonder why teams opt for the kick-tennis nonsense.

    Yes it's tactical but it's also tedious.

    Nothing wrong with a fine kick into the corner but full-back to full-back punting...

  11. Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:33

    Exeter fumble at the ruck when in another promising position and you feel they need to capitalise on their man advantage.

    How long can the Falcons keep up this effort for? It's been unreal stamina so far.

  12. Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:29

    Huge defensive effort shuts down the Exeter maul as it rumbled ominously close to the goal-line.

    Falcons down to 14 after Will Welch was dispatched to the sin-bin, but they belied the disadvantage to stem the Chiefs advance.

    Brilliant effort. Exeter miss out on further points. Could they have taken the penalty goal there?

  13. Sin-bin (Welch)published at 16:29

    Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falcons

  14. Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:28

    Penalty for Exeter in the Falcons 22. Ball goes to touch. Here comes the drive...

  15. Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:26

    Congrats to Gareth Steenson. One of the most consistent halves in the Premiership.

  16. try

    Try (Latu, con Delany)published at 16:23

    Exeter Chiefs 17-17 Newcastle Falcons

    Big phases on the Exeter line take their toll on the hosts rearguard and Newcastle have a second try through Nili Latu.

    The big Tongan rumbled over on the back of good work by Sonatane Takulua. Mike Delany slots the simple conversion. Parity once again.

  17. Exeter Chiefs 17-10 Newcastle Falconspublished at 16:20

    After a first half that barely warranted an entry in this live text, I haven't been able to take a breath in the second.

    It's been a flood of points. Trading tries.

    Juan Pablo Socino was fingertips away from an intercept try a second ago. Falcons bang in the 22 now.

  18. try

    Try (Dollman, con Steenson)published at 16:16

    Exeter Chiefs 17-10 Newcastle Falcons

    Phil Dollman celebratesImage source, Rex Features

    Phil Dollman slides across the stripe for Exeter who played some brilliant rugby in the build-up.

    Will Chudley against his former club, Gareth Steenson and Dollman all combined to shred the Falcons cover.

    Steenson landed the conversion.

  19. try

    Try (Takulua, con Delany)published at 16:12

    Exeter 10-10 Newcastle Falcons

    WIthin minutes Newcastle have worked their way across, largely down to the quick-thinking of loose-forward Nili Latu.

    He crept away from the base of a good attacking scrum and fed Sonatane Takulua who powered over.

    Mike Delany levelled it up with his successful kick.

    Neither side can take his game by the scruff of the neck at the moment.