Wasps beat the Leicester Tigers 36-24, while there were also Premiership wins for Harlequins, Northampton, Worcester, Exeter and Saracens.

Charles Piutau scored a first-half brace as Wasps returned to winning ways at the Ricoh Arena to leapfrog Leicester into third spot on the Premiership table.

Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth opened the scoring with a penalty in the second minute, before Charles Piutau went over for Wasps’ first try six minutes later. Leicester flyhalf Freddie Burns put the Tigers in the lead on 23 minutes after slotting a penalty and converting centre Peter Betham’s try.

Gopperth then converted tries by winger Christian Wade and Piutau to give the home side a 22-10 lead at half-time. Both sides scored two converted tries after the break as Wasps maintained their 12-point lead to secure the victory.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the Northampton Saints overcame a half-time deficit to beat the Sale Sharks 26-11 at Franklin’s Gardens, and winger Bryce Heem scored two tries as the Worcester Warriors kept their chances alive with a 28-20 win over Gloucester.

The Exeter Chiefs scored 15 points in the final 10 minutes to beat the Newcastle Falcons 32-17 at Sandy Park, while Saracens maintained top spot on the table after beating London Irish 26-16 in the first-ever Premiership match played in America.

On Friday, Harlequins survived a brave fightback from Bath to win 35-28 at Twickenham Stoop after leading 35-6 early in the second half.

Round 16 results:

Harlequins 35 Bath 28
Wasps 36 Leicester Tigers 24
Northampton Saints 26 Sale Sharks 11
Worcester Warriors 28 Gloucester 20
Exeter Chiefs 32 Newcastle Falcons 17
London Irish 16 Saracens 26

Photo: Wasps