Summary

  • FT: Exeter 24-3 Wasps - Chiefs move closer to a home semi-final

  • FT: London Irish 25-32 Harlequins - Irish are relegated to the Championship

  • FT: Saracens 23-14 Newcastle - Saracens finish top of the Premiership

  1. Goodbyepublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    I'm afraid that's it from us this evening - thanks for joining us.

    It's been a thrilling day of Premiership action, although there were sad scenes at the Madejski Stadium as London Irish were relegated.

    We'll be back next weekend with live text coverage of the final round of matches.

    Until then, goodbye.

  2. Recappublished at 17:28 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Saracens 23-14 Newcastle

    Jacques BurgerImage source, Rex Features

    Saracens secured top spot in the Premiership with a second-half comeback at home against Newcastle.

    Marcus Watson scored two converted tries to put the visitors 14-3 up at half-time but a brace of tries from Jackson Wray put the hosts back ahead

    Maro Itoje's score secured the win to give a victorious send-off to Sarries flanker Jacques Burger, who made his final appearance before retirement.

    Newcastle secured their top-flight status for next season despite defeat, as London Irish lost to Harlequins.

  3. Recappublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    London Irish 25-32 Harlequins

    Irish v QuinsImage source, Getty Images

    London Irish suffered relegation from the Premiership as Harlequins battled to victory at the Madejski Stadium.

    Quins ran in three tries in the opening 22 minutes as Charlie Walker crossed twice and Ross Chisholm dotted down.

    The Exiles rallied with tries from Luke Narraway and Asaeli Tikoirotuma to only trail 22-15 at half-time.

    David Paice's score then levelled matters for Irish before a late try from Quins prop Kyle Sinckler sent Irish down to the Championship.

  4. Recappublished at 17:21 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Exeter 24-3 Wasps

    Exeter players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Exeter Chiefs won comfortably to sneak back in front of Wasps in the battle to claim second place in the Premiership table and earn a home semi-final.

    In stretching Wasps' losing record at Sandy Park, Exeter atoned for their European Cup quarter-final defeat earlier this month with three tries.

    Winger Olly Woodburn showed great strength down the left for the opener.

    Having led 10-3 at the break, Exeter then scored two more second-half tries through Phil Dollman and Jack Nowell.

  5. FT: Saracens 23-14 Newcastlepublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Quote Message

    The boys have worked hard all year but it went to the wire. We have been disappointed with this year and we shouldn't really be in this position. We hope to be up the table next year.

    Will Welch, Newcastle captain on BT Sport

  6. FT: Saracens 23-14 Newcastlepublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Quote Message

    Newcastle put up a massive fight and we knew we had to turn it up in the second half. They were hard to beat. We take the games one by one and try and build.

    Jackson Wray, Saracens number eight on BT Sport

  7. Full-timepublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Saracens 23-14 Newcastle

    Their bid for another score is short-lived as a Saracens knock-on brings the full-time whistle.

    Sarries have secured top spot in the Premiership with that victory, while Newcastle have secured their top-flight status following London Irish's defeat.

  8. Saracens 23-14 Newcastlepublished at 80 mins

    The clock goes red, but Sarries play on in a bid for a fourth try. They're over half-way.

  9. Saracens 23-14 Newcastlepublished at 78 mins

    Newcastle are still probing at the Saracens defence in midfield in a bid to get on the scoreboard again before the end of the match.

    At least the Falcons are safe, after London Irish were relegated with defeat this afternoon.

  10. Saracens 23-14 Newcastlepublished at 75 mins

    Saracens go in search of their fourth try of the afternoon.

    Chris Ashton chases a kick into the corner but Falcons full-back Simon Hammersley shows good composure to wait for the ball to go over his own try-line before touching down.

  11. London Irish relegationpublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    FT: London Irish 25-32 Harlequins

    Quote Message

    Everyone can be able to point the finger in hindsight but in essence it's one of those things where experience in the Premiership and what is required at certain times in the season is essential, and we've got to try and retain the experience guys in our squad. We've seen teams like Harlequins and Northampton that have gone down and bounced back and that's what we've got to do."

    London Irish prop Tom Court, BBC Radio Berkshire

  12. Saracens 23-14 Newcastlepublished at 72 mins

    That score from Itoje is Saracens' 1000th Premiership try.

    The north London side have some way to go to catch Leicester, who are the all-time top scorers with 1187.

    Wasps are second on 1062.

  13. Full-time - London Irish are relegatedpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    London Irish 25-32 Harlequins

    Emotion from a number of London Irish players after the final whistle is blown as their efforts today were not enough.

    Credit the Exiles for battling back from 19-3 down but it was too little, too late.

    Harlequins win with a bonus point takes above Sale into sixth place.

  14. try

    Try (Itoje, missed con Hodgson)published at 68 mins

    Saracens 23-14 Newcastle

    Maro ItojeImage source, PA

    And Sarries do get their third try of the afternoon, and it's another special courtesy of their forwards.

    It looks like Jackson Wray is going to be then man swerving towards the line, but Maro Itoje takes over at the last moment and dabs down.

    Saracens' driving maul has done the damage in the second half.

    Hodgson slices the conversion wide of the posts.

  15. Saracens 18-14 Newcastlepublished at 67 mins

    Charlie Hodgson launches another fine kick into the corner after Newcastle were penalised at the breakdown.

    Sarries looking to close out the game with a third try.

  16. Saracens 18-14 Newcastlepublished at 64 mins

    Saracens are exerting more pressure on the Newcastle line, with the visitors struggling for both possession and territory currently.

    Eventually there is a knock-on from Sarries and the Falcons get a momentary breather.

  17. London Irish 25-32 Harlequinspublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Four minutes to go for London Irish to save their Premiership status for at least another week.

    They need not only a converted try, but then another score on top of that to prevent them from dropping down.

  18. Missed penalty (Hodgson)published at 61 mins

    Saracens 18-14 Newcastle

    Saracens are now asserting their dominance at the scrum

    They pick up anther penalty as the Falcons' front row collapses and Charlie Hodgson gets another shot at goal.

    The former England man misses for a second time, as it rebounds off the upright.

  19. London Irish 25-32 Harlequinspublished at 16:44 British Summer Time 1 May 2016

    Is that the nail in the coffin for London Irish?

    A stunning try from a prop as Kyle Sinckler races away and rounds off a slick move for Harlequins that secures their bonus point.

    With Newcastle now losing, the Exiles have to win to avoid relegation.

  20. Penalty (Hodgson)published at 59 mins

    Saracens 18-14 Newcastle

    Saracens are awarded another penalty at the scrum, this time just inside the Newcastle half.

    Charlie Hodgson opts to go for the posts and adds three points to his, and Saracens', tally.