Aviva Premiership round-up: Saracens extend lead at the top as Tigers are mauled

Saracens 26-6 Leicester

Premiership leaders Saracens have now won eight of their last eight as they grabbed a bonus-point victory over Leicester.

Three penalty tries and Jamie Hook’s score, plus three conversions, put Sarries on course for the win with Tigers only responding through two Freddie Burn penalties.

Saracens now hold a six-point lead at the top of the table.

Gloucester 27-14 London Irish

James Hook kicked 17 points as Gloucester staged a second-half recovery to beat London Irish 27-14 in front of a capacity crowd at Kingsholm.

On a quagmire of a pitch, Irish had deservedly led 14-6 at half-time through converted tries from Alex Lewington and Ciaran Hearn as they sought to make it back-to-back Aviva Premiership wins for the first time in nine months.

Gloucester were struggling at that stage but Hook's fine goalkicking - slotting over five penalties and a conversion - coupled with second-half tries from Matt Kvesic and replacement Billy Burns ensured Irish went home with nothing.

Newcastle Falcons 19-14 Bath

Newcastle's biggest home crowd of the season saw Craig Willis boot two late penalties against Bath to secure a first Premiership victory of the season.

The Falcons went behind early on after a Guy Mercer score but leapt into the lead as Rob Vickers crossed the line and Willis kicked eight points.

Bath did get back ahead as Rhys Priestland got his kicking boots on, but Willis was able to outdo him at the death with a brace of penalties.

Sale 15-9 Wasps

Sale Sharks leapfrogged opponents Wasps as they registered slim victory in a tryless match at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Danny Cipriani did the damage for the hosts with four penalties and a drop-goal, while their visitors scored through two Jimmy Gopperth penalties and Elliott Daly’s drop-goal.

Sale move up to fifth with the win while Wasps sit ninth.