Semesa Rokoduguni try just before the break to give Bath an 11-point half-time lead really has put the hosts in control.

London Irish were hanging in there, Theo Brophy Clews landing three penalties, without every really threatening to go in for a try of their own.

Ticking towards the break now, and it must be said that London Irish remain very much in this contest.

Yes, Bath have been slicker and moved the ball at pace at times. However, their chances really have been limited to what Matt Banahan has managed to grab.

Ben Spencer had hands in the ruck and Sarries are down to 14 men.

Saints punt to touch and will go for the line-out deep in the 22.

A try on the cards??

BIG CHANCE FOR NORTHAMPTON! Courtney Lawes' drive creates a position for Stephen Myler to slide a teasing kick in behind.

Ken Pisi chases it down to the corner but Alex Goode mops up and runs it dead.

Lawes down again and it looks painful after Hayden Smith landed on his ankle in the tackle. He limps off to be replaced. Jim Mallinder and Co. look rueful.

You can't keep Danny Cipriani out of the headlines can you? No sooner does he take the field to replace Joe Ford, he lands his first shot at goal to put Sale ahead.

Twenty minutes left at the AJ Bell Stadium.

There is just under 10 minutes of the fist-half at the Rec remaining and Theo Brophy Clews made it three-from-three with the boot to reduce to the arrears for London Irish.

Saracens extend their lead through Ben Spencer's penalty goal.

They might have had more had they been able to capitalise on a fine break by Alex Goode that took him into the Saints 22.

They didn't, and the penalty was the most appealing option as we move into the last 10 minutes of the half.

Gloucester can't extend their lead before the break.Tom Savage with a good turnover at the breakdown but Greig Laidlaw pulls the kick.

The home side have been completely dominant but Wasps keep the deficit to seven points. 

Worrying signs too for Northampton, who have had Courtney Lawes down being patched up.

The England lock is a key figure.

Saracens up on the board, but the game is pretty scrappy.

Northampton are being shut down quickly by the Sarries defence when they've had the ball but it's not punching the line at present.

Little flashes of excitement keep creeping through but largely it's stodgy.

Nils Mordt just landed a fine kick to turn Saints round.

The final minutes of the half are being played 10 metres from the Wasps line. No change there then.

Gloucester trying to squeeze in a second before the break, but it all comes to nothing as they're pulled for an error at the breakdown. Opportunity wasted.

Sale's lead didn't last long as Ben Botica's left boot puts Quins back on level terms.

Worrying for the visitors, though, is the sight of wing Marland Yarde walking off holding his arm as if it's in a sling.

Image source, Getty Images

And there's yet another pause in play as Gloucester's Paddy McAllister is the third player to receive a long period of treatment for the home side.

It's been a thrilling first-half but we might be a bit late to the interval.

So that scrum that got me excited. Well, a penalty was the result and points quickly followed from Theo Brophy Clews' boot.

Mark McCall's Sarries are pumped up big time with quick line-speed and some aggressive work at the ruck.

Jamie George barrelled up the middle to take in a Chris Wyles pass but Mike Rhodes knocks on to bring the attack to an end.

Play pulled back for the penalty though and the goal is landed by Ben Spencer. First blood Sarries.

Scrum time. Sheesh, it's taken 17 minutes for these sides to bind for the first time.

London Irish close to the line, can they push over?