Saracens thrash Harlequins to extend winning streak

Saracens shrugged off the loss of three England stars to put Harlequins to the sword in a 38-10 London derby victory at The Stoop on Saturday.

Ben Earl and Elliot Daly were lost to injuries in the warm-up before Alex Lozowski was forced off after twisting awkwardly when chasing down Marcus Smith.

The champions took the disruption in their stride as they ran in six tries for a fourth consecutive win that takes Sarries up to third in the table.

Juan Martin Gonzalez, Olly Hartley and Jamie George scored to put the contest beyond much doubt before halftime.

Andy Christie, Tom Parton and Alex Lewington then added more tries after the break before Quins registered a consolation through Andre Esterhuizen.

Just a second defeat of the season sees Harlequins slip to fourth.

South Africa's Rugby World Cup hero Handre Pollard starred for Leicester as the Tigers beat Northampton 26-17.

Pollard slotted 16 points as Leicester won for just the second time this season.

"We had to grind out a win and we did that," said Leicester head coach Dan McKellar.

"You need to win. When you're one from five, we obviously weren't happy with that.

"I don't think it was must-win territory but when it's a Tigers-Saints derby game, you don't want to lose."

It took until nearly the hour mark for the first try at Welford Road when Francois van Wyk crossed.

Hanro Liebenberg added a second Leicester try as Northampton were hit by yellow cards to Sam Matavesi and Ethan Waller.

George Furbank replied for the Saints before Matavesi's try in added time could only reduce the margin of defeat.

Victory lifts Leicester up to eighth in the table, while Northampton slip to fifth.