Gallagher Prem: Northampton edge past bottom side Newcastle to go top as Exeter and Gloucester also win

Northampton returned to the top of the Gallagher Prem table despite a disjointed display in a narrow 28-27 victory over battling bottom side Newcastle.

Saints were tested to the full by their visitors, who overcame the loss of two yellow cards, to come within a whisker of picking up only their second league win of the season.

Archie McParland, Ollie Sleightholme, Curtis Langdon and Tom Litchfield scored Northampton's tries, with Anthony Belleau successful with all four conversions.

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In reply, Harrison Obatoyinbo, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Simon Benitez Cruz and Tom Christie crossed over for the away side, with Brett Connon adding two conversions and a penalty.

Connon led out Newcastle for his 150th appearance for the club but he began badly by putting the kick-off straight into touch.

From the resulting scrum, Saints attacked in style with a break from Litchfield creating a try for McParland with less than 90 seconds having elapsed.

However, Newcastle soon drew level when from a line-out in the opposition 22, Leatherbarrow tore through a hole in the defence to gallop 20 metres to score before they took the lead with an excellent try.

From a line-out in their own half, swift passing from their three-quarters gave Obatoyinbo an opportunity, which he took with some aplomb by racing in from 40 metres.

The visitors then suffered two blows in quick succession. First they lost Sammy Arnold to a yellow card for a high tackle on George Furbank, with the full-back having to leave the field with a cut head.

His replacement was Sleightholme and in less than a minute he was presented with a simple touchdown with Belleau's conversion, putting Saints back in front.

Newcastle's woes continued when Adam Brocklebank was sent to the sin bin for illegal use of the boot on Langdon before a patched-up Furbank returned.

Northampton never looked like taking advantage of their opponents being reduced to 13 and it was their turn to lose a player when James Ramm was penalised for a deliberate off-side.

The hosts were fortunate to be 14-12 ahead at the interval but, with Ramm returning, they bossed the opening exchanges of the second half and were eventually rewarded when Langdon finished off a driving line-out.

Still Newcastle would not lie down and a penalty from Connon before a breakaway try from Benitez Cruz set up a tense finish but - four minutes from the end - Litchfield broke through to collect a bonus point.

There was still time for the away side to earn a deserved reward when Christie finished off a period of pressure for a converted try to pick up two bonus points.

Exeter beat Sale to move third in Prem

Exeter Chiefs maintained their bid for a Prem play-off place with a hard-fought 26-14 victory over Sale Sharks.

The win saw the Chiefs leap up into third place in the table, ahead of Leicester and Bristol, who play each other on Sunday.

Sale put up a great fight but their day was marred when replacement prop WillGriff John was carried off on a stretcher six minutes from time.

Exeter made a flying start in the Devon sunshine, scoring two tries in the opening 12 minutes. The first came from a blindside attack off a scrum, with back rower Ross Vintcent putting his fellow Italy international Stephen Varney over in the corner.

England centre Henry Slade uncharacteristically missed the conversion and a 40-metre penalty soon after. However, he was back on target when he added the extras to a try by winger Campbell Ridl after a slick move off a line-out, making it 12 points to Chiefs in as many minutes.

Sale, who chose this game to give a mandatory rest to England duo Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford, showed how dangerous they can be in attack when they hit back with a try by skipper Ernst van Rhyn after a quick tap penalty,
with Rob du Preez ensuring it was a full seven-pointer.

Chiefs, though, took a grip on the game again when full-back Olly Woodburn crossed, with television match official Dean Richards spotting that a potential knock-on by Slade in the build-up actually saw the ball come off the hand of Rob du Preez. Slade converted and Chiefs took a 19-7 lead into the break.

Early in the second half, Dan du Preez easily dotted down after a period of intense Sharks' pressure, with brother Rob converting to reduce the deficit to five points.

Chiefs eventually secured their bonus-point try when Paul Brown-Bampoe went over under the posts after a wonderful exchange of passes with scrum-half Varney, with Slade's boot putting Chiefs 12 points up with 15 minutes remaining, which is how it stayed.

Gloucester battle back for decisive win at Harlequins

Gloucester landed a potentially crucial blow in their duel with Harlequins for Champions Cup qualification next season by triumphing 26-19 at The Stoop.

Arthur Clark returned from England squad duties during the Six Nations to barge over for the decisive try seven minutes from time, rewarding a strong finish from George Skivington's team.

Gloucester twice battled back from falling seven points behind to register their second win of the Gallagher Prem season - both of them coming against Quins, who remain in ninth place and are now six points adrift of their rivals

Harlequins were overrun at the set-piece and paid the price for not capitalising on their red zone visits in the second half, with even the return of England playmaker Marcus Smith failing to inspire them.

Interim head coach Jason Gilmore said Smith had a "point to prove" after being limited to four replacement appearances as a full-back during the Six Nations, but this scrappy afternoon did not argue his right to start at fly-half.

Tomos Williams departing in 18th minute with a right shoulder injury was the only cloud on the horizon of an otherwise fine afternoon for Gloucester.

There was nothing between the rivals in the first quarter with Jack Clement drawing first blood to reward an impressive start by Gloucester before Ben Waghorn replied once Quins had found their rhythm.

Smith was trying to make things happen but only with glimpses of success until Quins' attack clicked in the 28th minute when quick ball off the the back of a line-out draw saw him sprint over after taking the final pass from Alex Dombrandt.

Harlequins were spending more time in opposition territory but a malfunctioning line-out was proving costly as repeated visits to the 22 passed without any points being registered and when a move broke down in midfield, Gloucester struck.

It was Rodrigo Isgro's wayward pass that did the damage to the home side, but there was still work to do with the ball being fed to Ben Redshaw who showed gas to race over in the right corner.

Quins' determined response restored their seven-point cushion with their pack softening up the visiting side before Jack Kenningham spied his chance, but Gloucester hit straight back with a fine try for Charlie Atkinson.

Atkinson converted to level the score and the theme of Gloucester's set-piece dominance continued with Clark going over from another strong line-out to tighten his team's grip on the final Champions Cup qualification.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Gallagher Prem: Northampton edge past bottom side Newcastle to go top as Exeter and Gloucester also win