Summary

  • Denny Solomona scores first-half hat-trick for Sale in victory over Wasps

  • Sonatane Takulua gets one of his own for Newcastle in win over Northampton

  • FT: Newcastle 46-31 Northampton

  • FT: Sale Sharks 34-28 Wasps

  1. How things standpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    So, a win for Wasps today could see them stretch their lead to a big 10 points over champions Saracens.

    Prem top fourImage source, .

    A bonus point victory for Exeter at Worcester saw them move level on points with Saracens in second while wins for Bath and Leicester respectively kept them firmly in the play-off hunt.

  2. The story of the weekend so far...published at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Saturday: Exeter, Bath and Leicester victorious

    Three more games followed on Saturday with no shortage of tries between them.

    Wins for Exeter, Bath and Leicester ensured the trio all kept their foot on the gas in the race to reach the top four.

    Exeter's match-winner at Worcester was hat-trick man James Short in a 48-32 victory that saw the Warriors grab a try bonus point.

    James Short hat-trickImage source, Rex Features

    The boot of Rhys Priestland proved decisive for Bath in their 22-12 win against Harlequins.

    The Welshman's 17 points were interspersed with tries for Tim Visser and Marland Yarde for Quins but a vital score by Max Clark for the hosts.

    Rhys PriestlandImage source, Rex Features

    While at Welford Road, it was a tale of the comeback kid.

    Leicester winger JP Pietersen marked his first game in 11 weeks with two tries in the Tigers' 50-17 demolition of strugglers Bristol.

    Aaron Mauger's men are four points behind fourth-placed Bath while Bristol are six points adrift at the bottom.

    JP Pietersen tryImage source, PA
  3. The story of the weekend so far....published at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Friday: Gloucester upset Saracens on Mako's return

    Gloucester beat SaracensImage source, Getty Images

    It was all supposed to be about Mako Vunipola making a return to injury and guiding Saracens to a win at Gloucester on Friday, but the Cherry and Whites had other ideas.

    Tries from Tom Marshall, Jeremy Thrush and Richard Hibbard sealed an impressive 31-23 win for the hosts and condemned Sarries to back-to-back defeats for the first time since May 2015.

    Vunipola came through 70 minutes at Kingsholm as he bids to feature in England's plans against Italy when the Six Nations returns next weekend.

  4. Former Australia lock Vickerman dies, aged 37published at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Dan VickermanImage source, Rex Features

    Before we look ahead in more detail to today's two games, some sad news overnight in the rugby union world. 

    Former Australia and Northampton lock Dan Vickerman has died at the age of 37.

    Vickerman played 63 Tests for the Wallabies and featured in three World Cups.

    As well as playing for ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby, he spent a season with Northampton in 2008-09 while studying at Cambridge University.

    Saints are among the clubs who've led the tributes to Vickerman.

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  5. Sunday afternoon feastpublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    rugby ballImage source, Rex Features

    A gloriously mild late winter afternoon today, which should make for some entertaining rugby.

    Two matches on the way to round off round 15 of the Premiership. Here's what's on the agenda:

    (Both 15:00 GMT kick-offs)

    • Sale v Wasps
    • Newcastle v Northampton