Aviva Premiership round-up: Exeter thrash Wasps as London Irish close in on relegation
talkSPORT rounds up Sunday's Aviva Premiership action...
Exeter 24-3 Wasps
Exeter climbed above Wasps in the scramble for an Aviva Premiership home play-off after they swept aside their European Champions Cup conquerors at Sandy Park.
Tries from Olly Woodburn, his fellow wing Jack Nowell and full-back Phil Dollman underpinned Exeter's emphatic 24-3 victory, which meant they reclaimed second spot from Wasps.
Fly-half Gareth Steenson added all three conversions and kicked a penalty, with Chiefs guaranteed a Sandy Park semi-final later this month if they beat Harlequins next weekend, with their play-off opponents likely to be Wasps - home or away.
Wasps, who pipped Exeter in a pulsating Champions Cup quarter-final clash three weeks ago, looked a shadow of the team victorious on that occasion, and a long-range Elliot Daly penalty proved their only points from a fruitless trip to Devon.
Any slip-up by Exeter against Quins, though, and Wasps could swap positions with them, provided they see off the Premiership's bottom club London Irish when the regular league season concludes in six days' time.
London Irish 25-32 Harlequins
London Irish's relegation from the Aviva Premiership was all but confirmed as Harlequins ran out 32-25 winners at the Madejski Stadium.
The loss leaves the Exiles rooted to the bottom of the table and only the unlikely event of Bedford winning this season's Greene King IPA Championship would keep them afloat.
Other Championship title hopefuls Bristol, Yorkshire Carnegie and Doncaster have all met minimum standards criteria to play in the Premiership next season but, with Bedford not applying to have their ground audited, there is a lifeline lingering for Irish.
In the first half the hosts had no answer to the pace and attacking flair of Harlequins, when they trailed 19-3, but they responded with huge spirit to take their opponents all the way to the wire.
The bonus point win for the Quins ensured that, if they beat Exeter at home next weekend, they will have a European Champions Cup berth for next season without having to rely on beating Montpellier in the final of the Challenge Cup.
Saracens 23-14 Newcastle
Saracens ensured they will finish top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and secured a home play-off semi-final in the process with a 23-14 win over Newcastle Falcons.
Charlie Hodgson's early penalty gave Sarries a good start at Allianz Park but Marcus Watson scored two converted tries to send the visitors into the interval 14-3 up.
However, a brace from Jackson Wray regained the hosts' advantage and England star Maro Itoje then increased their lead further with a score of his own.
It was an emotional afternoon at Allianz Park as Sarries fans said goodbye to flanker Jacques Burger following his last match before retirement and Newcastle cemented their top-flight status even in defeat.