Saints topple Harlequins in thriller, Sale beat Gloucester – Gallagher Premiership Rugby recap

Ollie Sleightholme took advantage of a tiring Harlequins defence as he forced his way over for Saints’ fourth try.

Northampton Saints number eight Sam Graham said that his side received a stern half-time team talk which sparked their revival against Harlequins.

It was more of an emotional fix, said Graham to TNT Sports. We were a bit flat in that first half.

“I think we had a lot to put right so had a bit of a rocket at half-time, fortunately we turned it around. We had moments (in the first half) and we took them.

“That’s the confidence we have in this team that we have to build.”

A superb try by Tomos Williams sparked a Gloucester revival that ended up with his side gaining a four-try bonus point.

Tom Roebuck was the man to set the tone for Sale as they hung on to win their second game from three.

The Gallagher Premier league champions show grit and determination with an impressive comeback to beat Quins. It has been a cracker but Saints triumph 33-29.

Reed makes a vital tackle at the death to push Atkinson into touch and the full-time whistle goes. Sale just hang on to win 31-27

Anscombe think he has scored but is somehow caught for pace by the covering defender. However, Gloucester retain possession and the ball is played out wide for Llewellyn to cross

The Quins throw everything forward in a risky move and the ball is recycled out wide for Porter to go flying over to pull his side back into the game.

A kick across the pitch is taken by Llewellyn brilliantly before finding runner Englefield to score his side’s third try.

A nice set piece try from a line-out results in a three-on-one in the corner as Reed is held up but flicks the ball into the path of Cowan-Dickie to cross. The conversion by Du Preez is good.

The Saints might be in charge now but the home fans were not happy earlier when Marcus Smith scored this controversial effort.

Quins fail to get close to their hosts and despite making the first tackle Sleightholme is on hand to cross for his second try. Finn Smith misses the conversion

The charging driving maul from Sale is unstoppable as it flies over the whitewash and Cowan-Dickie is the man to cross. The conversion is missed.

Harlequins are back to their full complement of players and replacement Lamb is clear on the overlap before being held up. Eventually Quins concede a controversial penalty and pressure is relieved for the hosts.

The visitors are back into this match as Williams kicks and then chases the ball down kicking it over.

It was a matter of time for the Saints after phase after phase the ball comes out for Graham who drives over the line. Smith converts.

A try before the break from Gus Warr after capitalising on good work by team-mate Bedlow put Sale into a commanding lead.

The Saints came close to scoring again as Sleightholme gathers a high ball but under a challenge from Evans the ball becomes loose and the opportunity is gone.

The visitors have a rare trip into their opponent’s 22-metre line before the Sharks pounce on a loose pass and Du Preez kicks away.

From a home line-out Sale start with a drive before a diagonal run by Du Preez finds Roebuck on the wing to score. The conversion is missed.

Some quick passing for Saints sees Freeman held up just a metre from the line. Iyogun goes over the top but is just about held up.

The Saints are really on song in this second half as Hutchinson kicks over the top but Marcus Smith wins the foot race and rescues the situation.

The hosts obviously had a tough half-time team talk and are resurgent. The ball is quickly passed from one side to another before Hutchinson drops the ball under a high tackle to his head by David who is booked.

The sides are back out in both of our matches tonight and they are back underway. The match in Northampton is underway first.

Harlequins were led by talisman Marcus Smith in that first half and his try skipping inside the Saints defence was a thing of beauty.

After going behind early in the match Sale started to dominate proceedings are Roebuck pulled them level

Premiership Rugby will see all 93 matches – including the Gallagher Premiership Rugby play-offs and final – on TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports and discovery+ will also continue to broadcast select games from the Premiership Rugby Cup. TNT Sports and discovery+ will exclusively show every single 2024 Autumn Nations Series fixture for fans in the UK and Ireland. TNT Sports and discovery+ will broadcast one Premiership Women’s Rugby match each weekend, as well as both semi-finals and the final.

The half-time whistle goes in both matches as Saints are behind at home 14-22 to Harlequins. Meanwhile, Sharks looked in control until that late penalty saw Gloucester kick back to 14-8 behind.

Evans missed a drop goal with the last play for Harlequins which would have put his side into a firm lead.

With the last kick of the half a costly penalty allows Barton the opportunity to kick for posts and reduce their deficit to a try.

Sharks extend their advantage as Bedlow makes a break with a strong carry before feeding to Warr to cross. The conversion is good and the hosts lead by nine points.

Quins conceded a rare penalty in this half which allows the Saints to kick to touch. However, Smith comes back in defence and collects a kick over the top ahead of Freeman to win the ball back.

This game has been largely played in the middle of the pitch. However, the Sharks’ scrum showed their bight to win possession close to the try-line.

Marcus Smith takes the opportunity to kick a penalty from reasonable distance and sends it over the sticks with ease.

Marcis Smith has proved his proved his value already this evening. However, the Quins coach was tight lipped ahead of kick off about a reported contract extension.

A long ball along the line to Smith looked to be forward before Smith gathered and crossed his side side’s third try. However, the referee said the pass was not clearly forward and the score is allowed. Smith sends his conversion wide.

An overlap results in Saints pulling back level minutes after going behind. Quick offloads by Saints resulted in Sleightholme getting free of his marker and crossing in the corner and Smith converting.

A ball out the back of the Quins drive is passed along the line and some excellent feet by Smith jinks inside England team-mate Freeman leaving him for toast to score. The conversion is good.

From the back of the scrum Sale play the ball out wide and despite the ball dropping it skids along the surface to a grateful Roebuck to cross in the corner.

Du Preez has a tricky kick which is successful to give Sale the lead.

After going behind on their home turf the Sharks are building momentum and putting Gloucester on the back foot. They are yet to be rewarded though.

Saints try scorer Iyogun is having a good start to the game as he lends a helping hand in defence to break up a Quins attack.

Gloucester hit first as some quick passing results in Williams racing away and he has enough pace to cross the whitewash under pressure. Barton misses the conversion.

Marcus Smith concedes a foul a few metres from the try-line. Saints look to drive it over the line amid a ruck of bodies. Graham has created the drive and then Iyogun is at the bottom of the ruck he reaches out to touch the ball down. The kick is good from Smith and it’s level.

With just 80 seconds on the clock a line-out results in a driving maul and Walker is the man to dot down. Smith is perfect with the boot and kicks the conversion

The Sharks are also underway as they face Gloucester as both sides are searching for a second win of the season

We are underway as the Saints hosts Harlequins in front of a sold-out crowd. The Saints have won 10 games on the bounce at home

We are just five minutes away from kick-off in our two games tonight

Reigning champions Northampton Saints clinched a vital victory against Exter on their last outing

Sale are without the injured George Ford this evening. Here is how they line-up

Clarke and Rapva-Ruskin return for Gloucester at Sale tonight

Here is how Harlequins start tonight as second row Irne Herbst make his 50th appearance

Here is how the Saints line up at home tonight

Premiership Rugby will see all 93 matches – including the Gallagher Premiership Rugby play-offs and final – on TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports and discovery+ will also continue to broadcast select games from the Premiership Rugby Cup. TNT Sports and discovery+ will exclusively show every single 2024 Autumn Nations Series fixture for fans in the UK and Ireland. TNT Sports and discovery+ will broadcast one Premiership Women’s Rugby match each weekend, as well as both semi-finals and the final.

Hello and welcome to LIVE updates from tonight’s Gallagher Premiership matches between Northampton Saints and Harlequins, along with Sale Sharks versus Gloucester Rugby