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Thursday 23 May 2013

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Owen Farrell finished with a 13-point haul

Top spot for Sarries

Saracens' hard-fought 23-14 victory over Bath at Allianz Park ensured they finished top of the Aviva Premiership at the end of the regular season.

Tigers fly-half Toby Flood contributed 12 points

Leicester stayed on course for a record ninth successive Aviva Premiership final after they booked a home play-off semi-final with a comfortable 32-20 victory over London Irish in their final game of the regular season.

Tom Williams scored one of Quins' three tries

Quins finish third

Defending champions Harlequins turned on the style to secure third place in the Aviva Premiership table ahead of next weekend's play-off semi-finals with a 22-19 win over Northampton.

Hosea Gear produced a superb tackle to deny the Sharks

Highlanders edge past Sharks

The Highlanders ended their eight-game losing run after holding on to beat the Sharks 25-22 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.

Ulster comeback seals win against Cardiff

Ulster 37 Cardiff Blues 13: Ulster earned a home semi-final against the Scarlets by seeing off Cardiff Blues at a wet Ravenhill to finish top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table.

Stephen Ferris, an HSBC ambassador for the British and Irish Lions, passes on a few tips to young players as part of the Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme at Methodist College

My heart is with Ulster, says Stephen Ferris

Ulster, Ireland and Lions flanker Stephen Ferris has nailed his colours to the mast in declaring that his heart belongs to his native province.

Jonathan Sexton scored 15 points for Leinster

Leinster see off Ospreys

Leinster rounded off the league phase of the RaboDirect Pro12 with a bonus point 37-19 win as the Ospreys relinquished their grip on the trophy.

DTH van der Merwe, pictured, and Sean Maitland scored a try apiece for Glasgow

Warriors ease past Connacht

Glasgow Warriors missed out on a home semi-final in the RaboDirect Pro12 but tries from DTH van der Merwe and British and Irish Lions call-up Sean Maitland did see the Scottish side advance to the play-offs on the back of a 20-3 victory over Connacht.

Andrew Trimble scored a second-half brace for Ulster

Leaders Ulster set up Scarlets semi

Ulster earned a home semi-final against the Scarlets by seeing off Cardiff Blues 37-13 at a wet Ravenhill to finish top of the RaboDirect Pro12 table.

Warriors ease past Connacht

John O'Neill warned the British and Irish Lions to be ready for battle on and off the field this summer

Lions need to win mind-games battle

The British and Irish Lions have been warned that Australia will be looking to beat them on and off the field during this summer's tour Down Under by the man who coined the phrase "be bold, wear gold" during the 2001 tour.

Leaders Ulster set up Scarlets semi

Ulster earned a home semi-final against the Scarlets by seeing off Cardiff Blues 37-13 at a wet Ravenhill to finish top of the RaboDirect Pro12 table.

BJ Botha scored the decisive try as Munster beat Zebre

Munster fight back to deny Zebre

Munster overcame an eight-point half-time deficit to win 27-25 and ensure RaboDirect Pro12 minnows Zebre finished their campaign without a single victory.

Courtney Lawes is looking to impress against the Pumas

Lawes out to reclaim England spot

Northampton lock Courtney Lawes is desperate to use England's summer tour of Argentina to win the trust of head coach Stuart Lancaster and break out of a frustrating vicious circle which has left his international career on hold.

22/2/11Mandatory Credit Darren Kidd/Presseye.com
Ulster's Nevin Spence

Rugby fans stand up to support Jeff Anderson's song in memory of Nevin Spence

'Stand up for the Ulstermen' is the familiar cry of rugby fans at Ravenhill.

Adam Jones is expected to start for the Lions in Australia

Jones wary of Wallabies

Wales prop Adam Jones has seen more than enough of Australia to know they could wound the British and Irish Lions this summer.

Christian Wade has scored 11 Aviva Premiership tries for Wasps

Trio nominated for award double

Mako Vunipola, Joe Launchbury and Christian Wade are chasing a unique awards double after being nominated for both the player of the year and young player of the year awards by the Rugby Players' Association.