Summary

  • FT: Exeter 31-17 Wasps, Lon Irish 25-40 Northampton

  • Exeter and Northampton both earn bonus points before half-time

  • Victory sends champions Exeter back to the top of the Premiership

  • Northampton climb to third, level on points with Saracens

  1. Kick-offpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    Exeter v Wasps, London Irish v Northampton (15.00 BST)

    We're under way in our featured game this afternoon with Gareth Steenson kicking off for Exeter and the hosts playing towards the River Exe end in the first half.

    London Irish and Northampton are also away in Reading.

  2. Saints bid for third successive winpublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    London Irish v Northampton (15.00 BST)

    Northampton Saints have bounced back impressively since being blown away by Saracens at Twickenham with wins over Leicester and Bath.

    Today, they make one change as they seek a third successive victory, with Sam Dickinson replacing Teimana Harrison, who has a shoulder injury, at number eight.

    Stephen Myler is still not yet ready for action despite being back in training this week, so Harry Mallinder continues at fly-half.

    NorthamptonImage source, BBC Sport
  3. Nalaga debuts for Irishpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    London Irish v Northampton (15.00 BST)

    London Irish's Johnny Williams returns for his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

    Williams is one of five changes with Fijian wing Napolioni Nalaga making his full debut.

    Irish have only managed 14 points in two defeats since beating Harlequins on the opening weekend.

    London IrishImage source, BBC Sport
  4. Wasps without starspublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    Exeter v Wasps (15.00 BST)

    If you think of the names that graced the Wasps back-line last season, their 15 today resembles a fourth XV by comparison.

    Danny Cipriani and Willie Le Roux are the headline absentees but Kyle Eastmond is still yet to return from an Achilles injury and Kurtley Beale is no longer in Coventry.

    Wasps make six changes in total from the side who lost at home to Harlequins last weekend, with James Haskell back at open-side after his spat with Joe Marler last week.

    WaspsImage source, BBC Sport
  5. Skipper missing for Chiefspublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    Exeter v Wasps (15.00 BST)

    Exeter captain Jack Yeandle has a knee injury so Elvis Taione comes in at hooker for his first Premiership start.

    Full-back Phil Dollman is also missing for the champions with a calf-injury so Lachie Turner starts.

    Tight-head Harry Williams, wing Jack Nowell and outside centre Henry Slade all play after their England call-ups.

    ExeterImage source, BBC Sport
  6. Falcons flyingpublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    Exeter v Wasps, London Irish v Northampton (15.00 BST)

    It was a thrilling day yesterday with two humdingers at either end of the M4.

    Leicester came back from 21-11 down to win at Harlequins, an impressive victory after losing their first two matches of the season.

    But it was Newcastle who raised most eyebrows as they pulled off the most remarkable of wins at Bath. They led 19-0, before trailing 32-19 but ultimately prevailed by a point on a whirlwind afternoon at the Rec.

    And Saracens were much too good for Sale but victory was marred by an injury to Billy Vunipola.

    NewcastleImage source, BBC Sport
  7. Good afternoonpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 24 September 2017

    Exeter v Wasps, London Irish v Northampton (15.00 BST)

    Hello there, hope the lamb shoulder is melting off the bone - or the sausages are plump and ready for barbecuing if you're trying to cling onto the last of summer.

    Either way, we're set for another exciting afternoon in what's been a cracking start to the new Premiership season, with a re-run of last season's final as Wasps visit Exeter.

    And Northampton are looking for three wins in a row as they travel to London Irish.

    ExeterImage source, BBC Sport
  8. Could rugby win this year's Unsung Hero award?published at 15:56 British Summer Time 22 September 2017

    #BBCUnsungHero

    Volunteers are the lifeblood of rugby clubs, from the village green to Premiership professionals.

    Here are Exeter Chiefs prop Carl Rimmer and director of rugby Rob Baxter on why those who give their time for free are so essential to the sport...

    Media caption,

    Exeter Chiefs prop Carl Rimmer and director of rugby Rob Baxter on volunteers

    The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of sports and fitness volunteers across the UK who make grassroots sport possible and inspire physical activity from fun runs to the Rugby World Cup.

    If you know someone who makes a difference in your area, vote for them here.