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. Kick-offpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Northampton 7-11 Sale

    Northampton v SaleImage source, Getty Images

    Northampton's Stephen Myler gets us back under way in the second half of this intriguing encounter.

  2. Can Chiefs go top?published at 14:59

    Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons (15:00 GMT)

    With Saracens not playing until this evening in New Jersey, Exeter know that victory over Newcastle will take them top of the Premiership table - at least temporarily.

    Falcons start the day second from bottom but with an eight-point buffer over basement side London Irish, who face Sarries later.

    Kick-off is moments away.

  3. try

    Try (Veainu, con Burns)published at 14:59

    Wasps 29-17 Leicester Tigers

    Leicester get a bit of a foothold from a driving maul and when the ball is worked wide to the right side, Mathew Tait's inventive pass over the back of the head finds Teleasu Veainu who stepped his way across to finish.

    Big response. They've got Wasps on the back-foot early in this second-half.

  4. Wasps 29-10 Leicester Tigerspublished at 14:56

    Jimmy Gopperth is down, looks like an accidental jab in the eye.

    Back to his feet but that'll be sore.

    Wasps still on top.

  5. Team newspublished at 14:52

    Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons (15:00 GMT)

    Newcastle welcome back New Zealand fly-half Mike Delany and wing Sinoti Sinoti for the trip to Sandy Park.

    Prop Mike Cusack makes his first start since joining on loan from Glasgow Warriors.

    Newcastle FalconsImage source, BBC Sport

    Replacements: Scott Lawson, Ben Harris, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Richard Mayhew, Ally Hogg, Michael Young, Andy Goode, Tom Penny.

  6. try

    Try (Halai, con Gopperth)published at 14:50

    Wasps 29-10 Leicester Tigers

    Frank Halai scoresImage source, Getty Images

    Absolutely glorious. Frank Halai finished it but it was all about the short-side hands between Ashley Johnson and then Siale Piutau who running out of room nudged the ball back on the inside.

    Halai had the pace, Jimmy Gopperth had the range for the conversion and this game has just squeezed away from Leicester.

    Quote Message

    That's a dream start for Wasps. It's a real test of character now for Leicester. There's still a lot of rugby left in this game but they need to start doing something quickly.

    George Chuter, Ex-Leicester hooker on BBC Radio Leicester

  7. Team newspublished at 14:50

    Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)

    As promised, some team news from Sandy Park.

    The big news for the Chiefs is the return of England centre Henry Slade, who plays for the first time since breaking his leg in December.

    Last season's Premiership top try-scorer Thomas Waldrom also returns to the pack.

    Exeter line-upImage source, BBC Sport

    Replacements: Elvis Taione, Alec Hepburn, Carl Rimmer, Ollie Atkins, Dave Ewers, Dave Lewis, Will Hooley, Max Bodilly.

  8. Kick-offpublished at 14:49

    Wasps 22-10 Leicester Tigers

    We're back under way at a sun-drenched Ricoh Arena.

    Leicester in possession in centre-field. Still plenty to play for here...

  9. Half-timepublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Northampton 7-11 Sale

    Sale dominate the first 30 minutes of the half, going 11-0 up as Bryn Evans goes over and Luke Arscott and Danny Cipriani score penalties as Northampton made an ill-disciplined start. But Saints come back right at the end, in part thanks to Evans' being sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on which allowed Mikey Haywood to burrow over from the resulting penalty. 

  10. Half-timepublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Worcester 15-10 Gloucester

    The second of winger Bryce Heem's two tries separate the two local rivals in the M5 derby at the interval. And Worcester will start the second half with a man advantage, following Ross Moriarty's yellow card.

  11. try

    Try (Haywood, Myler con)published at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Northampton 7-11 Sale

    Mikey Hayward goes over for Saints as they take advantage of having an extra man. Lee Dickson almost went over for Northampton, but his team-mates recycled it and Hayward took advantage from close range. Stephen Myler converts from wide on the touchline.

  12. Sin-bin (Evans)published at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Northampton 0-11 Sale

    Sale's Bryn Evans is yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on after the first real attack of the half for Saints, 37 minutes in. Harry Mallinder raced clear and was tap-tackled close to the line before try-scorer Evans got his hands in the way of a pass to break it up. 

  13. Still to start...published at 14:43

    Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons (15:00 GMT)

    There's one game still to kick-off this afternoon, with second-placed Exeter hosting Newcastle. Let's take a look at the team news...

  14. Try (Heem)published at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Worcester 15-10 Gloucester

    Bryce HeemImage source, Getty Images

    Kiwi winger Bryce Heem scores his second try of the afternoon in the corner as Worcester quickly made good use of their extra man. But Tom Heathcote is off target with the conversion attempt. Four minutes to go to the break.

  15. Woodworkpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Worcester 10-10 Gloucester

    Tom Heathcote hits the left-hand post eight minutes from the break with a long-range penalty from just five metres into the Gloucester half.

    The visitors are then reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the half. Ross Moriarty is adjudged the villain, being sent to the bin.

  16. Penalty (Arscott)published at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Northampton 0-11 Sale

    Tom Arscott kicks another Sale penalty as they go further ahead at Franklin's Gardens.

  17. Half-timepublished at 14:33

    HT: Wasps 22-10 Leicester Tigers

    The last act of the first-half sees Wasps smuggle the ball into touch after the subsequent scrum.

    It's been a corker. Played in great conditions with adventure and enthusiasm.

    When Wasps have been good they've been unplayable, and the power and running lines from their three-quarters has been mesmeric. Word too for George Smith for his breakdown savvy.

    Leicester haven't played that badly but Wasps cut them to ribbons with some smart attacking play. Still open though if it stays like this.

    Richard CockerillImage source, Getty Images
  18. Penalty (Hook)published at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Worcester 10-10 Gloucester

    All square again at Sixways after a Worcester infringement on the 22 and James Hook levels with his second successful kick of the afternoon.

  19. No trypublished at 14:32

    Wasps 22-10 Leicester Tigers

    Leicester denied!

    Adam Thompstone thought he had the ball down after a solid push for the line but the pass he received was forward.

    Matt Smith's delicious flick pass was deemed to have travelled on by the TMO after a slippery move to the right.

    Frank Halai had jammed in, leaving a gap, but the pass let the visitors down.

    Wasps let off - they were pinned in the 22.

  20. Penalty (Heathcote)published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2016

    Worcester 10-7 Gloucester

    Gloucester's backs are caught offside and Tom Heathcote gives Worcester back the lead with a penalty.