• Bristol 34-16 Gloucester• Henry Purdy scores against old clubPremiership clubs were quick to welcome the demotion of Saracens but they are appreciably slower to fill the vacuum at the top of the table left by the champions. Bristol and Gloucester are among the clubs contending for a place in the play-offs but a West Country derby high on endeavour but short on class will not soothe the concerns of commercial backers who fear the tournament’s worth has been devalued.
What would have been an engrossing relegation battle has been denied and there is no one to match Exeter, although the Chiefs have to show they can battle on two fronts after losing at home to Sale. Other than the top two, and Saracens, no club went into this round of matches having won more than half of their matches and there was little to distinguish them.