Leicester finished top of the English Premiership rugby union table after a 32-23 win at home to London Irish on Saturday, the final day of the regular season.

But the champions must now win two more matches to retain their title, a playoff semi-final against local rivals Northampton awaiting the Tigers next weekend.

The winners of that match face whoever comes out on top in the contest between Saracens and Gloucester in the playoff final at Twickenham on May 28.

Meanwhile Leeds were left in limbo after finishing in the lone drop spot at the foot of the 12-team table after a 31-24 defeat away to Northampton.

Their relegation will be confirmed if Worcester win the two-legged Championship playoff against the Cornish Pirates, which concludes on May 18.

But victory for the Pirates would give Leeds a reprieve as the south-west side do not meet Premiership entry criteria.

Leeds so nearly took matters into there own hands by building a 21 point lead at Franklin's Gardens only to blow it and finish behind Newcastle on points difference, despite the Falcons' 42-12 thrashing by Bath.

Leicester were in trouble at 23-13 behind with 10 minutes left but replacement winger Horacio Agulla started their fightback by sprinting over for a fine try.

Then, three minutes later, centre Anthony Allen scored a try converted by England's Toby Flood that left the Tigers just three points behind.

Test forward Tom Croft then gave Leicester the lead before Alesana Tuilagi, the Premiership's top try scorer, to wrap up the comeback by outpacing the cover defence on the left to score his 12th try of the campaign, with Flood adding the conversion.

Saracens head into their semi-final on the back of an 11th straight win courtesy of a 16-13 success away to London rivals Harlequins.

Teenage five-eighth Owen Farrell's second-half contribution of a try, conversion and penalty ultimately proved decisive after the teams had been locked together at 6-6.

In the day's other matches, Gloucester thrashed Sale 68-17 while Exeter completed an impressive debut season in the Premiership with a 21-8 victory against Wasps.

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