Saracens defeat champions Northampton to move third in Premiership table

Saracens climbed to third in English rugby union's Premiership table with a decisive 39-24 win at home to champions Northampton on Sunday.

The Saints' title defence is now in danger of petering out before the end of the year, with their fifth loss in eight league games this season leaving them 19 points adrift of the top two of Bath and Bristol.

Northampton defeated Saracens three times last term but there was little danger of a repeat victory as the home side dominated proceedings in north London on Sunday.

Fergus Burke scored two tries for Saracens, with Rhys Carre, and the England trio of Theo Dan, Ben Earl and Jamie George also crossing. Burke landed three conversions and a penalty for a 19-point haul.

Tommy Freeman, Tom Pearson, Archie McParland and Ollie Sleightholme scored tries for Saints, two of which England playmaker Fin Smith converted.

With all 10 teams in the Premiership having played eight league games apiece, Saracens are now four points clear of fourth-placed Leicester and five behind southwest rivals Bath and Bristol.

The top four teams at the end of the regular season contest the title-deciding play-offs.