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Saints falling out of contention following dismal title defence
Friday night's East Midlands derby defeat is likely the final nail in Northampton's coffin, all but ending their chances of breaking into the top four.
Backed by a full Franklin's Gardens and the returns of their England stars, Northampton were blown away in a bonus point defeat by their ruthless rivals Leicester Tigers who touched down for unanswered scores through Adam Radwan, Jack van Poortvliet, Olly Cracknell and Charlie Clare.
Fin Smith, the orchestrator of the Saints backline, was a shell of his Six Nations form, and the decision to rush back their Red Rose contingent backfired on Phil Dowson. Last season's potent attack have barely been able to fire a shot and they failed to score a single point at home for the first time in their Premiership history.
Their end-of-season exodus which saw 21 players depart the club, including stalwarts Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller and Lewis Ludlam, looks to have cost the champions dearly as they slipped to 10 points off the top four with just six rounds to go.
Harlequins do the double on their arch-rivals at Tottenham
Super sub Jamie Benson delivered a 13-point cameo to end Saracens' formidable home record over Harlequins.
You have to go back to 2012 for the last time Quins beat Sarries on the road but when Theo McFarland and Tobias Elliott gave the hosts a 12-0 half time lead it looked like another precession would be ensuing.
However, second half tries from Ben Waghorn and Will Porter, combined with Benson's sharp shooting off the tee, gave the south west Londoners bragging rights as they followed up October's home win with a 23-12 triumph in front of 54,000 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It's raining record tries at Ashton Gate
The first 18 minutes featured seven tries and the opening 40 featured 64 points - the highest-scoring first half in Premiership history.
No team has scored more tries than Bristol this season. But only one – Newcastle – has conceded more. All a bit 'defence optional' as the critics say but the spectators were given full value for money with the punters at Ashton Gate able to witness yet another ding-dong battle.
Josh Hodge scored a remarkable try for Exeter as the floodgates at both ends opened and the Chiefs were full value for their bonus point.
But Jack Bates scored a hat-trick of tries, while James Williams touched down for a brace as the league's entertainers continue to light up the league with a 52-38 win.
Russell gets his shooting boots back on as Bath continue to lead the way
The league leaders operated in more of a professional manner than their west country and title rivals but their six-try, 42-26 victory over bitter rivals Gloucester was even more impressive.
Finn Russell was back to his best scoring 17 points, restoring his previously shaky form from the tee.
Gloucester also came to the party, scoring incredible length of field tries but were no match for Bath's power up front.
Sale get their top four hopes back on track with Ford masterclass
The Sharks claimed northern bragging rights on Friday night as George Ford added to his ever-growing highlight reel.
Ford snapped an inch-perfect cross-kick for Joe Carpenter to score out wide after previously putting Tom O'Flaherty in with blurringly quick hands.
Having travelled to the North East following back-to-back defeats, Sale cruised to a 39-15 win over Newcastle Falcons to leave Alex Sanderson's side just two points off the play-offs.