1. Penalty (Gopperth)published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 17-7 Bath

    A high tackle from Luke Charteris and a clear penalty for Wasps.

    Jimmy Gopperth, the Premiership's top points scorer this season, makes no mistake from the tee.

    He takes his tally to 135 points and puts Wasps back out to a 10-point lead.

  2. When will we see this man?published at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Saracens 13-6 Newcastle

    Chris AshtonImage source, Getty Images

    Back after a 13-week ban for biting, Saracens have Chris Ashton poised to come on after the break.

    The England winger is no doubt itching to get involved. When will Mark McCall give the call?

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Festive XV

    We've been asking you for your Christmassy-rugby players and you haven't disappointed.

    James Sturdy: Owen A Manger Farrell 

    George Mann: O Come, O Come Imanol Harinordoquy

    Luke Wespieser: Myrrhcus Watson

    Think you can do better than that? Get involved by tweeting us using #bbcrugby

    ImanolImage source, Rex Features
  4. try

    Try (Batty, con Ford)published at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 14-7 Bath

    Ross BattyImage source, Getty Images

    Just as I began writing about Bath's AWOL defence, they've gone and got a score of their own.

    And it's another memorable one. Jonathan Joseph with a brilliant break, Bath recycle the ball and Ross Batty crosses for their first try of the afternoon.

    George Ford with an easy kick to add the extras.

  5. try

    Try (Wade, con Gopperth)published at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 14-0 Bath

    Wasps 14-0 BathImage source, Rex Features

    Brilliant set-up play gives Christian Wade a one-on-one opportunity. He manages to get out of the tackle and quick feet helps him navigate his way to the try-line.

    A superb try from the Wasps winger, and his second in a dozen minutes.

    Gopperth has no trouble with the conversion and Bath are already in trouble.

  6. Postpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 7-0 Bath

    Frank Halai, with a rare chance to start this season, hasn't passed the HIA and won't be returning to the field. Unfortunate for Wasps, but Rob Miller will now be with us for the duration.

  7. Half-timepublished at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Saracens 13-6 Newcastle

    Saracens 13-6 NewcastleImage source, Getty Images

    Really competitive, spirited game of Christmas Eve rugby union from Saracens and Newcastle, with the league leaders coming back from behind to lead at the break.

    One try in the half, from Marcelo Bosch, but it's an intriguing battle in the forwards that suggests more points will follow.

    Sarries keep offering flickers of their class, Falcons have such a powerful pack and they'd battered on the door a couple of times, only to be held up.

    Big 40 to come.

  8. try

    Try (Wade, con Gopperth)published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 7-0 Bath

    Wasps 7-0 BathImage source, Rex Features

    Aled Brew makes an unfortunate mistake under the high-kick, leading to a beautiful offload from Thomas Young, who earlier earned the vital turnover for the penalty, and Christian Wade's drought is over. An easy slide over the line for the try.

    Gopperth adds the extras and Wasps have an early lead.

    Wasps 7-0 BathImage source, Rex Features
  9. Canine caperspublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Following on from our labrador with Wasps-themed reindeer headgear from earlier (13:55), how about a couple more rugby dogs?

    My golden lab Heidi and lurcher Frank love running around with a ball.

    Send us yours at #bbcrugby

    Heidi the labrador
    LurcherImage source, BBC Sport

    And remember we're still after your Festive XV rugby players - like George North Star... You can definitely do better than that!  

  10. Postpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 0-0 Bath

    Semesa RokoduguniImage source, Getty Images

    An early change for that explosive Wasps backline as Frank Halai leaves the field for a head-injury assessment. Rob Miller is the man to replace him, perhaps temporarily.

    And the first job for Miller is to stop Semesa Rokoduguni in full-flight. The winger gets the ball from the back of the scrum and sets off towards the try-line, before Millier strips the ball.

  11. Penalty (Farrell)published at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Saracens 13-6 Newcastle

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    Seven point lead is ensured by Owen Farrell's metronomic boot. Swung to perfection. Five to go to the break.

  12. Postpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Saracens 10-6 Newcastle

    Saracens might be top of the Premiership but they're certainly not having it all their own way here against Newcastle.

    The scrummage has been a phenomenal contest so far - neither side prepared to give in. Very few resets to my memory either.

    Matt Carley has had captains Owen Farrell and Mark Wilson together to stop a bit of the chat that has been ringing in his ears. Lots of big blokes with lots to say...

  13. Postpublished at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 0-0 Bath

    Wasps have had all the possession so far but they're crashing into the big Bath forwards at the moment.

    Frank Halai does make a nice break down the left wing but the ball is eventually spilt forward by Thomas Young and Bath have their hands on the ball for the first time.

    A lung-busting start to this game at the Ricoh.

  14. Kick-offpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps 0-0 Bath

    Wasps v BathImage source, Getty Images

    Danny Cipriani gets us under way in our second game of the day, in Coventry.

  15. Postpublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Saracens 10-6 Newcastle

    Vereniki Goneva shows his class, racing downfield and chipping ahead after Newcastle Falcons stripped the ball to go from defence to attack. Only Sean Maitland's 'block' stops the Fijian from getting to the bouncing ball to make it a contest.

    A Falcons scrum wins the visitors a penalty and huge pressure on the Saracens line eventually comes to an end when the penalty is awarded against Falcons.

    Massive test passed by Sarries.

  16. Christmas cheerpublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps v Bath (14:00 GMT)

    One of Santa's reindeer appears to be making a pitstop...

  17. Will there be a sting in the Christmas tale?published at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps v Bath (14:00 GMT)

    Kurtley BealeImage source, Rex Features

    This one is certainly set to be a real Christmas cracker! And there's no joke inside this one for Wasps fans.

    Kurtley Beale is set to make his first Premiership start for Wasps as Dai Young has a near full complement of backs to select from for the first time this season.

    Wasps are attempting to complete a perfect year in Coventry, where they have won 17 straight games but in their way stand a rejuvenated Bath outfit.

    Just two points behind Wasps in the table, and with Taulupe Faletau back in fine form, Todd Blackadder's side will be looking to end a run off three-straight away-defeats and bring a win home for Christmas. 

  18. try

    Try (Bosch, con Farrell)published at 13:51 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Saracens 10-6 Newcastle

    Just as I was about to say it had calmed down a bit, some short-side pressure from Saracens sets the platform and good hands puts Marcelo Bosch through a gaping hole to wrest the lead for the first time.

    Owen Farrell slots the extras. Four-point lead.

  19. Team news: Bathpublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps v Bath (14:00 GMT)

    Bath, who sit third in the Premiership table, two points behind second-placed Wasps, have star winger Semesa Rokoduguni back after he missed their Champions Cup win over Cardiff.

    Prop Nathan Catt, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Matt Garvey are also named among their starting line-up.

    Tom Homer starts once again at full-back with Ben Tapuai and Jonathan Joseph making their first start together in the Premiership in the midfield.  

    Bath team

    Replacements: Dunn, Auterac, Palma-Newport, Stooke, Ellis, Allinson, Hastings, Clark.  

  20. Team News: Waspspublished at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 24 December 2016

    Wasps v Bath (14:00 GMT)

    Wasps make five changes to the side which lost to Connacht in the Champions Cup.

    England back Elliot Daly and Danny Cipriani return, Frank Halai starts on the wing, while James Gaskell and Marty Moore are recalled to the forward pack.

    England centre Kyle Eastmond is among their replacements, while Kurtley Beale makes his first Premiership appearance after playing two games in European competition. 

    Wasps team

    Replacements: Rieder, Bristow, Swainston, Myall, Thompson, Robson, Eastmond, Miller.