Saracens beat Exeter 36-18, while there were also Premiership wins for Bath, Worcester, Sale, Wasps and Northampton.

Returning flyhalf Owen Farrell and No 8 Billy Vunipola helped Sarries reclaim top spot on the table with a convincing win at Allianz Park. The hosts scored two tries in the first half and another three in the second to secure the bonus point.

Fullback Alex Goode crossed for the first try of the match in his 200th game for Saracens, which was followed by Vunipola's try. Two penalties from Chiefs flyhalf Gareth Steenson then reduced Sarries' lead to just six points at the interval.

Farrell scored a converted try early in the second half, before No 8 Thomas Waldrom crossed for his first try. Converted tries from flanker Jackson Wray and winger Chris Wyles, who was also playing in his 200th game for Sarries, stretched the hosts’ lead to 25 points.

Waldrom scored his second try just before full-time, but it was little consolation for the Chiefs, who relinquished their No 1 spot on the log.

In Saturday’s other games, wing Semesa Rokoduguni scored two second-half tries to help Bath to a historic 17-12 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm (Bath are the only team to win three consecutive matches here), while Worcester Warriors flyhalf Tom Heathcote kicked four penalties as they beat London Irish 12-6 at Sixways Stadium.

On Sunday, flyhalf Danny Cipriani converted his late try to help the Sale Sharks to a 27-20 win over the Leicester Tigers, Wasps scored five tries to beat the Newcastle Falcons 34-20 at Kingston Park, and the Northampton Saints came from behind to beat Harlequins 29-23 at Franklin's Gardens.

Round 18 results:

Saracens 36 Exeter Chiefs 18
Gloucester 12 Bath 17
Worcester Warriors 12 London Irish 6
Sale Sharks 27 Leicester Tigers 20
Newcastle Falcons 20 Wasps 34
Northampton Saints 29 Harlequins 23

Photo: Stephen Pond/Getty Images