Exeter Chiefs will not surrender their Aviva Premiership title lightly and they now stand five points clear at the summit after their latest victory.
Rob Baxter’s men won 20-18 at Saracens on Sunday to condemn the London club to their first home league defeat since March 2016.
Moray Low's late score put the Chiefs in front with just minutes left on the clock after Ian Whitten's try had given the visitors a foothold.
Saracens had dominated up to that point, with first-half tries from Alex Goode and Schalk Brits.
However, Marcelo Bosch's penalty provided their only second-half points.
Gareth Steenson's reliable boot had kept Exeter in the contest before their late flurry.
The loss - Saracens' first on home soil in the Premiership since Northampton two seasons ago - compounded a tough day.
Talismanic hooker Brits was withdrawn at half-time on a stretcher and prop Richard Barrington was ruled out of much of the game after failing a head injury assessment.
In Sunday’s other match, London Irish’s relegation woes increased after they lost 17-13 at home to Wasps.
Wasps came from behind to win their third Premiership game in a row and condemn the Exiles to an eighth consecutive league defeat. Irish were ahead for a large proportion of the game after Tommy Bell's penalty was added to by Alex Lewington's second-half interception try.
However, Wasps fought back with scores from Ashley Johnson, Josh Bassett and Nizaam Carr to finally go in front. The losing bonus point sees the Exiles five points adrift at the bottom.
Wasps fight back to grab the win and a valuable four points at the Madejski. Match report and reaction to follow shortly.
On Saturday, Sale eased their relegation fears with an 18-15 home win over Northampton.
Aided by the ill discipline of Northampton – who had Michael Paterson, Jamal Ford-Robinson and Ben Foden all sinbinned – Sale eked out only their third Premiership win of the season with tries from Faf de Klerk and Tom Curry.
Jim Mallinder's men touched down through Cobus Reinach and Mikey Haywood but it was not enough.
Josh Adams crossed for a double as Worcester claimed their first-ever win at Welford Road to make it back-to-back victories in a 31-27 success.
Bottom of the table and winless after seven rounds of league action, the Warriors have hit their stride in spectacular style and Leicester were powerless to stop them as the visitors held on for a bonus-point win on Saturday.
Despite being on a six-match winning run in the league, the Tigers were caught cold by the Warriors who had three tries in the first half.
The Warriors have now beaten Northampton and Leicester in consecutive weekend and the latter was their first league away win since April 2016.
Bath produced a blistering first 20 minutes to put Harlequins to the sword and set themselves on the way to a bonus-point 38-14 success at the Rec.
Todd Blackadder’s side had the bonus point in the bag before the first half had reached its midway point, with Paul Grant, Freddie Burns, Elliott Stooke and Matt Banahan all crossing.
Harlequins managed a couple of tries of their own, through Henry Cheeseman and Gabriel Ibitoye, but Burns and Josh Lewis added two penalties apiece to put the game beyond reach as Bath moved back into the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table.
Gloucester claimed an impressive 29-7 bonus point win at Kingston Park on Friday night.
Johan Ackermann's young side scored three first-half tries, added the bonus point try midway through the second half and snuffed out any chance of a Falcons fightback with a superb defensive display.
