Saracens claimed their eighth win in succession as they beat Wasps 22-6 to cement their lead at the top of the Guinness Premiership.

Dominant in the scrum and fuelled by the confidence gained from beating South Africa on Tuesday night, Saracens sank their old rivals on a raid-sodden Vicarage Road pitch with Shalk Brits grabbing a try which was converted by Derick Hougaard who also scored three penalties and two dro goals.

Saracens were without England captain Steve Borthwick but Test duties hit Wasps worse as they were deprived of Tim Payne, Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw and only had two Dave Waldner penalties to cheer about.

London Irish slipped to their first Guinness Premiership defeat since the opening day of the season as they were beaten 15-11 by Newcastle at a blustery Madejski Stadium.

Last season's finalists failed to produce anything like that form in a disjointed, error-strewn performance. It was the first time in eight attempts the Falcons had beaten the Exiles and, despite failing to register a try, they go back to the north-east with a third straight league win under their belts.

Irish's Tongan number eight Chris Hala'ufia scored the only try of a poor match but that, and a bonus point, will be of little consolation to head coach Toby Booth.

Carl Fearns touched down with six minutes remaining to complete a remarkable second-half fightback from Sale as they beat bottom club Leeds 24-17.

Leeds have been widely tipped to go straight back down but they are acclimatising to the demands of the Guinness Premiership and thoroughly outplayed Sale in the opening period. Two converted tries from Lee Blackett and Scott Barrow gave the Yorkshiremen a deserved 14-3 interval advantage and put them on course for a second successive Premiership victory.

Fly-half Ceiron Thomas added a penalty to extend their lead shortly after the restart but Sale eventually woke up and tries from Ben Cohen and Richard Wigglesworth had them level just before replacement Fearns, 20, claimed the winning score in the 74th minute.