RUGBY WRAP: Sharks, Stormers win big; Sarries bounce back and Toulouse make it three in a row

URC R11: Sharks and Stormers dominate SA derbies

The Sharks powered past the Bulls 47-20 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday to continue their fine winning momentum and maintain their playoff trajectory. The visitors couldn’t live with the Durbanites’ physicality, particularly at scrum time, and were ultimately bullied in a performance that has seen the Sharks (fifth) narrow the gap between the sides to just five points with two games in hand.

Meanwhile, the second-placed Stormers delivered another scintillating showing in Cape Town to totally outgun the Lions 40-8. The defending champs scored six tries in the rout, with the likes of Hacjivah Dayimani and Angelo Davids sparkling. The Pride (11th) were never really in it and face an uphill battle to secure playoff qualification from here on out.

Elsewhere, Glasgow won back the 1872 Cup after beating hosts Edinburgh 32-25, Benetton thrashed Zebre 40-17 in Parma, Ospreys pipped Cardiff 22-19 in the Welsh capital, Scarlets claimed a comfortable 33-17 result over Dragons at Parc y Scarlets, Munster scored at the death to inflict a 15-14 defeat on third-placed Ulster in Belfast and Leinster put Connacht away 41-12 at the RDS.

Prem R14: Sarries back to winning ways, Sale smash Tigers

Table-toppers Saracens rebounded from their defeat at London Irish last week to record their biggest-ever win over fierce rivals Exeter Chiefs, coming out 35-3 victors at the StoneX. The result leaves Mark McCall’s men 10 points clear of Sale Sharks, who walloped defending champions Leicester 40-5 at the AJ Bell to open up some breathing room in second.

Third-placed Harlequins, seven-points back of Sale, fell 46-17 to Saints at Franklin’s Gardens, while Gloucester beat Irish 8-6 at the Kingsholm. Bath bagged their fourth win of the season in seeing off Falcons 24-18 at The Rec.

Top 14 R14: Big Boys keep picking up the W’s

With Antoine Dupont at No 10, leaders Toulouse won their third Top 14 match in succession thanks to an impressive 32-13 win over Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Michelin. The result leaves Les Rouge et Noir seven points clear at the summit and looking highly likely to go on and cement top spot. Second-placed Stade Francais recorded a 37-3 thumping of Pau in Paris, while European champions La Rochelle (third) were too good for Perpignan, earning a 29-10 victory at the Stade Aimé Giral.

In other results, Bordeaux pumped defending champions Montpellier 40-10 at the Chaban-Delmas, hosts Bayonne beat Toulon 23-18, Castres and Racing 92 played out a 26-26 draw at the Pierre Fabre and Brive edged a close one 30-27 in Lyon.