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When Bristol Bears fell to defeat at Sale Sharks on Friday, it felt like the final nail in their coffin.
Leicester Tigers travelled to a Bath side, home and dry at the top of the table and just six days away from a Challenge Cup final. They were expected to rest their big guns ahead of Cardiff, but Johann van Grann put out a strong team in a bid to make a statement in their top-of-the-table clash. Still, Leicester had far more to play for, knowing a win in the West Country would seal a home semi-final.
Meanwhile, Saracens faced the task of travelling to the champions, Northampton Saints. Supporters, regional journalists and staff were more worried about their prized assets picking up injuries than Saturday's result, given next week they're presented with an opportunity to be crowned Europe's elite.
Terrific Tarek leaves Sarries on the brink
Phil Dowson copied van Grann in naming a strong team, much to the anguish of the Franklin's Gardens faithful. Sarries were presented with a golden opportunity to take advantage of Bristol's loss on Friday, and when the visitors had a 24-7 lead with 21 minutes remaining, it looked as if the north Londoners were well on their way to breaking into the top four.
However, this league doesn't do routine and the hosts, in front of a sell out crowd, scored three late tries to secure a remarkable comeback win, while Maro Itoje and co. could only watch on as their grip on the top four loosened. Aside from when they were handed a points deduction in 2019, which saw Sarries relegated and spend one season in the Championship, Mark McCall's men haven't missed the play-offs since 2009. They are now seriously up against it, requiring a win over Bath on the final day and multiple favours.
Brilliant Bath no match for toothless Tigers
Following the early action, attention turned to the Rec, where Bath hosted an in-form hungry Tigers.
Leicester were ahead shortly before half time 15-12, looking set to begin their Welford Road semi-final marketing campaigns, but five unanswered tries shocked the visitors and showed why Bath are currently England's best side, securing their biggest win over Leicester since the 2015 semi-final.
Gloucester's top four hopes still alive
The Cherry and Whites beat the league's whipping boys, Newcastle Falcons, securing the all-important bonus point, but last week's loss to Harlequins looks costly.
Gloucester are two points outside the play-offs and host a Northampton side on May 31, with technically little to play for (not that they'll be thinking that after this weekend's shakeup) and require either Sale, Bristol or Leicester slipping up.
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bath Rugby | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 244 | 15 | 71 |
| 2 |  Leicester Tigers | 17 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 72 | 14 | 56 |
| 3 |  Sale Sharks | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 70 | 10 | 54 |
| 4 |  Bristol Bears | 17 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 29 | 17 | 53 |
| 5 |  Gloucester Rugby | 17 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 74 | 15 | 51 |
| 6 |  Saracens | 17 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 30 | 15 | 51 |
| 7 |  Northampton Saints | 17 | 8 | 9 | 0 | -12 | 11 | 43 |
| 8 |  Harlequins | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | -16 | 13 | 43 |
| 9 |  Exeter Chiefs | 16 | 4 | 12 | 0 | -119 | 10 | 26 |
| 10 |  Newcastle Falcons | 17 | 2 | 15 | 0 | -372 | 5 | 13 |
Bristol back in the driving seat
So, there you have it, a super Saturday for Bears fans means their side's play-off hopes are firmly back in their control 24 hours after a gut-wrenching loss. A win at home to Harlequins, a favourable fixture, will send the West Countrymen into a first post-season in four years.