Wins for Saracens and Northampton

Northampton are a step closer to a home semi-final following their 36-21 bonus-point win over London Irish at Franklin’s Gardens today.
With Leicester losing at Harlequins on Friday, the Saints knew a win would put them in control to finish second and that is just what they did scoring five tries on the way.
Stephen Myler put the home side on the board early with a penalty before Jamie Elliot controversially got the first try despite not grounding the ball.
Luck struck again 15 minutes later when Kahn Fotuali’i made the best of a lucky bounce to run in untouched from the 22 metres out.
They were not done there however as Elliot showed good pace and strength to score his second. Myler converted from the touchline, which took him over 1,000 Premiership career-points, and Northampton were leading 24-0 at the break.
Back from the sheds, they picked up where they left off and the try bonus-point was secured less than two minutes into the second half with Salesi Ma’afu bragging his way over.
The looked over but three converted tries in eight minutes for London Irish around the hour mark made it an eight-point game.
Andy Fenby and Jebb Sinclair went over either side of one from Shane Garaghty who also slotted all three conversion.
Marlan Yarde thought he closed the gap even further racing in from 70 metres but his try was turned down for a forward pass and Norhtampton rallied to close the game out with Alex Waller scoring in the corner on the last play.
Over at Kingston Park, Saracens brought their winning run to seven games with a 23-18 win over Newcastle.
Sinoti Sinoti went over within two minutes but Tim Streather brought Sarries back and five points from the boot of Charlie Hodgson saw them lead 10-8 at the break.
The former England fly-half slotted two more penalties to extend the lead before Ben Ransom sealed the game with ten minutes to go.
Alex Tait grabbed a late consolation try to secure the losing bonus-point but the Falcons are not safe of relegation just yet with Worcester eight points behind and two rounds to go.