Rugby:Jon Clarke grabbed a brace of tries as Northampton secured a home semi-final against Saracens in the Guinness Premiership play-offs by thrashing London Irish 31-7 at the Madejski Stadium today.
Saints, who finished the regular season in second place, took an 11-0 lead into the break thanks to powerful centre Clarke’s 39th-minute try and two penalties by Stephen Myler.
Chris Ashton, playing in front of watching England manager Martin Johnson and his fellow national team coaches, dotted down for Northampton’s second try while Clarke added a third late on, with Myler kicking the rest of their points.
It was hardly the ideal way for 2003 World Cup-winning centre Mike Catt, playing the final match of his illustrious career, to bow out but he at least came off the bench for the last 13 minutes for a cameo appearance for Irish, for whom he will continue to be attack coach.
The hosts’ only points came from Danie Coetzee’s 65th-minute try, converted by Tom Homer, as Toby Booth’s men ended the season in sixth place and with a lacklustre performance under their belts.
Bath cruised into the play-offs with a 39-3 win over Leeds and booked an away tie against league champions Leicester, who were beaten 32-23 by Saracens today, at Welford Road next Sunday.
First half tries by Nick Abendanon and Michael Claassens sent Bath on their way to an 11th victory in 12 league games since Christmas.
A 17-point interval advantage was extended after the break through wing Matt Banahan's touchdown, a brilliant second Abendanon try and a Joe Maddock score, while Olly Barkley kicked four conversions and added two penalties.
Leeds mustered a solitary Ceiron Thomas penalty in reply after being outclassed throughout the contest.
Wasps missed out on a play-off spot despite securing a hard-fought 28-25 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park.
That result also meant the Wasps careers of Danny Cipriani, who left the field early on with a thumb injury, and Paul Sackey ended in disappointment before their moves to Melbourne Rebels and Toulon respectively.
Worcester Warriors ended their six-year stay in the top flight of English rugby with a 23-22 defeat to neighbours Gloucester at Sixways.
Scott Lawson, Akapusi Qera and Lesley Vainikolo scored tries for Gloucester with Chris Latham, Chris Pennell and Alex Grove crossing for the hosts.