Mauger bows out with dramatic win, Robshaw returns in Quins romp

Leicester Tigers provided a victorious send-off for outgoing head coach Aaron Mauger by beating rivals Northampton Saints 36-31 in a high-scoring Premiership thriller.

The Tigers announced the return of Matt O’Connor on Monday, meaning Saturday’s game at Franklin’s Gardens represented a final contest in charge for Mauger, who had taken charge of team affairs following Richard Cockerill’s sacking in January.

Northampton led throughout an action-packed first period that began with three tries in the opening nine minutes.

Yet Leicester came storming back to climb up to fourth in the table, Owen Williams converting second-half touchdowns from Ben Youngs and Lachlan McCaffrey before kicking two late penalties to snatch victory.

FT: @SaintsRugby 31 – 36 @LeicesterTigers. A cracking close game at Franklin’s Gardens with Tigers clinching the victory! #AvivaPrem pic.twitter.com/aeEF6vbWh4

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 25, 2017

Exeter Chiefs produced a gritty comeback to beat Sale Sharks 30-25 and move level on points with leaders Wasps.

The Chiefs looked set to be beaten on a gusty afternoon at Sandy Park when they fell 19-5 down, thanks to a converted Denny Solomona try and five kicks from AJ MacGinty.

However, a Luke Cowan-Dickie score before the interval gave Exeter a lift and further tries from Olly Woodburn and Don Armand saw the hosts earn victory and a bonus point.

Former England captain Chris Robshaw enjoyed a successful comeback from injury as a Harlequins side boosted by the return of several players thumped Newcastle Falcons 53-17 at The Stoop.

Robshaw missed his country’s successful Six Nations campaign due to a shoulder problem, but played the full 80 minutes against Newcastle and will hope to do enough over the next three weeks to book a place in Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad.

The Table As It Stands: Harlequins move into sixth in a tight @premrugby table pic.twitter.com/w29Xbx94tQ

— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) March 25, 2017