Another penalty chance and Jimmy Gopperth makes amends this time, slotting the ball over with a slightlier easier kick. Slap bang in the middle and we are level. 

Jimmy Gopperth strikes the post for Wasps. 

A let off for Northampton, that. Saints mop up and clear, but Wasps are unrelenting and are quickly back on the attack.

Not much in the way of free-flowing rugby at the moment. Plenty of crunching challenges in midfield, but just that Rob Miller break from Wasps to threaten the try line.

A great steal by Saints and they work the ball across looking for gaps in the home defence, but there's nothing being given. The ball is pumped clear and we are back in Northampton's 22.

Image source, Rex Features

A good catch by Joe Launchbury and Wasps drive towards the line but are thwarted by the whistle. 

Saints survive, but the home crowd are sensing their team is on top and the points are coming.

Wasps turning the screw here now. They kick for the corner and opt for the line-out.

It was a wonderful break by Rob Miller but he's come up just short. Some great cover defence by Saints just about kept him out.

Wasps take a quick penalty after a Saints infringement at the scrum and could have scored a try through full-back Rob Miller. It's gone to the video ref.

An early penalty for Saints. Wasps fail to roll away and Stephen Myler slots the ball over from about 45 metres.

As well as following these carefully crafted words as the afternoon progresses, there is also BBC local radio commentary available on all four of today's top-flight matches.

Just pop up to the 'Live Coverage' at the top of this page and select which game you'd like to listen to.

Image source, Getty Images

You can even listen to a robot statue built of old boomboxes, if you have one handy.

Here we go. We are under way at the Ricoh Arena.

The teams are out. Kick off is moments away.

The Ricoh Arena is looking very bright at the moment. Players, supporters, staff - in fact just about everyone - is sporting yellow as part of a fundraising effort for Marie Curie.

Northampton make four changes following their 29-23 win over Harlequins.

Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i and centre Harry Mallinder both return while lock Christian Day and number eight Sam Dickinson bolster the pack.

Northampton Saints: Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Mallinder, North, Myler, Fotuali'i; Waller, Haywood, Brookes, Lawes, Day, Wood (capt), Harrison, Dickinson.

Replacements: Marshall, Ma'afu, Hill, Craig, Fisher, Dickson, Hanrahan, Collins.

Wasps joint-captain James Haskell is back from Six Nations duty to face Northampton, but only makes the bench for the meeting of third and fifth.

Wales lock Bradley Davies returns to the starting line-up, while Matt Mullan again skippers the side.

Scrum-half Craig Hampson, who impressed on his Premiership debut in their 34-20 win at Newcastle last weekend, starts in place of the injured Dan Robson, while Frank Halai returns on the wing and Italy's Lorenzo Cittadini is also back for bench duty.  

Wasps: Miller; Wade, Daly, S Piutau, Halai; Gopperth, Hampson; Mullan (capt), Johnson, Cooper-Woolley, Launchbury, Davies, Young, Smith, Hughes.

Replacements: Festuccia, McIntyre, Cittadini, Myall, Haskell, Stevenson, Jackson, Tagicakibau.

Image source, Rex Features

Northampton Saints 11-24 Waps

Wasps eased to victory in difficult conditions to win at Franklin's Gardens for the first time since 2005.

Scrum-half Dan Robson scored Wasps' first try when he found a gap and touched down on the post before Rob Miller crossed from close in.

Josh Bassett's score helped make it 24-3 to the visitors at the break.

Sam Dickinson scored in the corner for Saints in the second half, but it was too little as Wasps went above them in the Premiership table.

Image source, @bbcrugbyunion

As always we'd very much welcome your input throughout the afternoon, and you can get in touch with us by using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

And, if you're not doing so already, you can follow the official @bbcrugbyunion, external account for all the latest news from the world of rugby union too. Well worth a gander, obviously.

Image source, BBC Sport

Wasps can more than just consolidate their place in the top four, they are very much still chasing a home semi-final berth.

It's not must-win territory yet for Northampton, but it's close. Victory could sent Saints back above Leicester today, but either way the two are set for a mammoth showdown next time out in the Premiership on 16 April.

Saracens soar on Friday, Leicester leap and Exeter excel on Saturday, then on Sunday... well, we will just have to wait and see what story unfolds at the Ricoh Arena where Wasps host Northampton.

It's the last of the weekend's Premiership matches and it is another one of huge importance. Saints are chasing a play-off spot, while Wasps will be out to consolidate their place in the top four.

Stay with us here as we bring you the hits, drama and joy.

Image source, Rex Features