NRL-bound Lote Tuqiri scored the opening try as Leicester Tigers showed their English rugby premiership credentials by thrashing Gloucester 33-11 to move five points clear at the top.

Gloucester started well as Nicky Robinson converted two penalties but Leicester kicker Toby Flood put the hosts ahead with three penalties of his own.

Tuqiri, who has signed to return to rugby league in Australia with Wests Tigers, touched down the first try while teammate Geordan Murphy scored a try soon after the interval, with Flood converting.

Gloucester centre Jonny May scored a try to give the visitors hope but Flood sealed the win with his fourth penalty, while he also converted a try from scrum-half Ben Youngs in the closing stages.

Second-placed Saracens travel to Wasps on Sunday, while third-placed Northampton saw their six-game winning run come to end as they went down 13-6 at Harlequins.

Two early penalties from Nick Evans put Quins in early command and when Mike Brown thundered over for a try converted by Evans it was 13-0 in just 20 minutes.

Stephen Myler kicked two penalties in the second half as Saints attempted a fightback but he also missed four others in the match, kicks which would prove crucial to the final result.

Bath registered their fourth successive league victory by beating Worcester 37-13 at the Recreation Ground.

Worcester flanker Tom Wood was sent off in the 62nd minute following his second yellow-card offence and Bath coasted to a five-point maximum by scoring three tries after he departed.

Joe Maddock's first-half double was followed by touchdowns for Matt Banahan, Michael Claassens and substitute Jonny Faamatuainu, while centre Ryan Davis booted three conversions and two penalties.

Fly-half Willie Walker scored all of Worcester's points - a try, the ensuing conversion and two penalties as the Warriors remain in relegation trouble.

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