Wasps whack Sarries

Wasps scored eight tries in their 64-23 thrashing of Saracens, while there were also Premiership wins for Newcastle, Sale, Gloucester, Northampton and Worcester.

Wasps led 19-0 after 10 minutes at Allianz Park thanks to tries from fullback Charles Piutau, flanker Thomas Young and scrumhalf Dan Robson.

Sarries hit back with a converted try from No 8 Samuela Vunisa, but Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes then scored two tries in four minutes to make it 31-16 at the break.

Wasps flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth and Piutau scored tries in quick succession early in the second half, and Robson's second completed the rout.

In other matches, the Sale Sharks withstood an Exeter Chiefs' fightback to win 23-17 at home after they had led 17-0 at half-time, and Gloucester beat Harlequins 28-6 at Kingsholm Stadium.

The Northampton Saints scored five tries as they beat London Irish 35-7 at Franklin’s Gardens, hosts Bath held on for a narrow 16-14 win against the Worcester Warriors, and the Newcastle Falcons beat the Leicester Tigers 26-14 for the first time in seven years.

Round 12 results:

Newcastle Falcons 26 Leicester Tigers 14
Sale Sharks 23 Exeter Chiefs 17
Gloucester 28 Harlequins 6
Northampton Saints 35 London Irish 7
Worcester Warriors 14 Bath 16
Saracens 23 Wasps 64

Photo: Harry Engels/Getty Images