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By Sky Sports Rugby Union
Last Updated: 09/05/20 6:57 pm
Owen Farrell was sent off for a high tackle in Saracens’ loss to Wasps
We recap Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership action, which saw Owen Farrell in the red as the Saracens lost to the Wasps, plus victories for Bath and Sale in the battle for a place in the semi-finals …
theSaracens 18-28 Wasps
Owen Farrell was sent off by Saracens when Wasps recorded a famous victory at Allianz Park to boost his top four.
Scores were tied at the hour mark when England’s elevated middle was dismissed for a high tackle on Charlie Atkinson, with an 18-year-old at the academy grounded for a long period before being helped from the field of play.
Tom Willis passes the Wasps try in victory at Saracens
Farrell immediately admitted referee Christophe Ridley, who wasted little time giving him marching orders for an infraction that could rule him out of the Champions Cup quarter-finals against Leinster later this month.
It turned out to be the game’s big turning point going into the fourth quarter when Tom Willis drove for his first Premiership try and Jimmy Gopperth, in his 100th appearance at the club, took his scoring streak to 23 when Wasps posted a seventh win in eight games under the head. coach Lee Blackett.
Elliot Daly’s converted try against his former club had put the Saracens ahead in the fourth minute, but Gopperth’s kicks saw the visitors win 12-7 at the break.
Sean Maitland also made it through for the home team after the break, but the Wasps couldn’t be denied their fourth consecutive road victory in the Premiership to stay on track to a semi-final.
Harlequins 27-41 Bathroom
Ruaridh McConnochie produced two elegant finishes to spoil the Harlequins’ celebrations for the temporary return of their fans when Bath emerged as winners at The Twickenham Stoop.
A crowd of 2,700 turned out for the test event, the first time supporters have been to a Gallagher Premiership match since the five-month hiatus caused by Covid-19, and while the rugby pilot appeared to be a success, Quins inspired To seek permission for another stage as soon as possible, the events in the field took the brightness of the afternoon from the hosts.
Ruaridh McConnochie scored two tries in Bath’s win at Harlequins
Aside from a blazing start that produced a first down for Joe Marchant, they were outmatched by Bath, who was chasing the play-offs, and was out of sight within two minutes of the second half.
It was McConnochie who delivered that killing blow in one of two attempts with Eddie Jones watching from the stands and the England head coach could only have been impressed by his clinical touch.
Chosen as a bolter for the 2019 World Cup, the 28-year-old suffered a drop in form upon his return from Japan, but his post-blocking run of five attempts in four games prompts him to compete for the remaining matches of the Six Nations and Fall Internationals.
On top of the efficient wing attempts, there was a masterful display of kicks from Rhys Priestland, the Welsh fly-half who finished the bonus points triumph with a 21-point shot.
Leicester Tigers 31-40 Sale Sharks
Manu Tuilagi made a goal return to Welford Road as the Sale Sharks strengthened their Gallagher Premiership play-off drive by beating Leicester.
The England center left Leicester in July after rejecting a 25 percent pay cut, and bit the Tigers with a touchdown in the first half to help Sale regain second place behind league leaders Exeter.
Manu Tuilagi went back to chase Leicester when Sale triumphed
It was a signature score for Tuilagi, illustrating enviable power and strength when Leicester’s defenders were scattered.
Tuilagi’s try highlighted a dominating first 50 minutes by Sale, with high middle AJ MacGinty and captain Jono Ross also claiming touchdowns, while MacGinty kicked three conversions and a penalty and Faf De Klerk dropped a goal.
Tuilagi was replaced midway through the second period just after a De Klerk penalty, and even though Leicester had their moments (Hanro Liebenberg, Jake Kerr and Freddie Steward all scored try and George Ford kicked 16 points) they were finally overshadowed.
Sale’s wing Denny Solomona claimed an extra point attempt with 17 minutes left, and MacGinty’s conversion gave him a loot of 19 points as the Sharks prevailed.
The only pessimistic note on a dominant afternoon for the Sharks was that their England wing Tom Curry left at the edge of the break and did not return after failing a head injury assessment.
Gloucester 36-23 London Irish
Gloucester practically sealed their place in the European Cup for next season with a close 36-23 victory over the London Irish at Kingsholm.
A win for the Irish would have seen them in a position to challenge Gloucester for that spot, but the hosts’ win by bonus points put them 12 points above the Irish ninth place with just four games to play.
Gloucester’s attempts came from Ollie Thorley, Louis Rees-Zammit, Jack Stanley, Stephen Varney and Lloyd Evans, with Evans adding a penalty and two conversions. Billy Twelvetrees also made two.
Irish responded with attempts by Ollie Hassell-Collins and Agustin Creevy, with Paddy Jackson kicking three penalties and two conversions.
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