Summary

  • Exeter inflict first defeat of season on Saracens

  • Chiefs earn bonus-point 31-13 win to top Premiership

  • Leicester end losing run against Harlequins

  • Sale beat Bristol to climb Premiership table

Live Reporting

Rob Stevens and Steve Marshall

  1. Sell-out in Exeter

    Exeter v Saracens (15:00 GMT)

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport at Sandy Park

    Sandy ParkBBC Sport

    It is a 12,800 sell-out at Sandy Park today and the atmosphere is reallly growing.

    Arguably the biggest game of the season so far in the Premiership, can Exeter be the first side this season to get one over the reigning champions in any competition?

    Whoever wins, it’s fair to say we are in for a Christmas cracker this afternoon.

  2. Saints win at Worcester to go sixth

    Friday's result: Worcester 6-32 Northampton

    Cobus Reinach scores for NorthamptonGetty Images

    This weekend's Premiership action began on Friday, with Northampton winning at Worcester to ensure a very happy Christmas for all Saints fans.

    Wales fly-half Dan Biggar kicked six penalties for the Saints, while interception tries from Cobus Reinach and Luther Burrell sealed a comfortable victory.

    You can read the match report here.

  3. Chiefs and Sarries - a new rivalry

    Exeter v Saracens (15:00 GMT)

    George Kruis and Sam HillGetty Images

    For the past three seasons, the Premiership has essentially boiled down to a rivalry between two sides - Saracens and Exeter Chiefs.

    Sarries beat the Devon side in the 2016 final at Twickenham, but the Chiefs had revenge as they beat Mark McCall's side in the semi-finals en route to winning their maiden title a year later.

    Back in May, Saracens regained the trophy by beating Exeter 27-10.

    This campaign looks to be no different, with table-topping Sarries and the Chiefs 14 and 12 points clear of third-placed Gloucester respectively.

    Saracens have won all nine league games this season, while Exeter have suffered just one defeat. Something has to give this afternoon.

  4. All to play for

    #bbcrugby

    Sandy ParkGetty Images

    Christmas may be three days away and you may still have a few presents to sort out, but shopping can wait until today's Premiership action is over.

    Top billing goes to the clash between first and second as unbeaten leaders Saracens travel to Exeter Chiefs, who trail the north Londoners by just two points.

    There's a clash between two heavyweights of the English game in the East Midlands, as Leicester aim to end their horrendous run of form at home to Harlequins.

    Meanwhile, Sale Sharks will be looking to climb away from trouble at the bottom when they host Bristol Bears.

    Victory today will make the roast turkey taste all the sweeter on Tuesday.