Newly appointed England coach Steve Borthwick watched on as Gallagher Premiership leaders Saracens lost their unbeaten record in a feisty 29-20 defeat at London Irish.
Harlequins avenged their harrowing home defeat by Racing 92 two years ago by dispatching the French heavyweights 14-10 in their Heineken Champions Cup clash.
Sale began their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with an emphatic win over Ulster, while Saracens turned things around to beat Edinburgh.
Saracens maintained the unbeaten start to their Gallagher Premiership campaign with a convincing victory over Bristol.
England flanker Courtney Lawes' participation in this season's Six Nations is in doubt after he limped off during Northampton's defeat to La Rochelle.
Alex Goode produced a virtuoso display to celebrate his entry into Saracens' history books, while Theo McFarland stood out in win vs Sale.
Owen Farrell and Jonny May have withdrawn injured from England's training camp squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Marcus Smith proved the difference for Harlequins as they put an end to Sale's unbeaten start in the Premiership this season.
Five-try Sale Sharks eased to a 37-14 Gallagher Premiership victory over London Irish at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday.
Premiership Rugby wants to introduce an independent regulator to oversee clubs' finances.
Recap Saturday's Premiership action as Sale won at champions Leicester, while Bath lost again in their derby vs Gloucester.
Recap Saturday's Premiership action as Saracens thumped defending champions Leicester, while London Irish and Sale beat Bath and Exeter respectively.
Gloucester came from 21-0 down to beat Wasps 27-21, while Northampton threatened a similar comeback, but Sale held on to take the points.
Recap Saturday's Premiership action as Saracens came from behind to beat a Quins side missing Marcus Smith; Leicester, Sale and Bristol also won.
Premiership Rugby has taken its first step towards "greater transparency" by publishing a salary cap report for the 2020-21 season.
Leicester Tigers have become the first Premiership club to go through a season on top of the table after every round, as the semi-finals are decided in Round 26.
Manu Tuilagi has been ruled out of England's tour to Australia after undergoing a knee operation.
Exeter's hopes of reaching the Gallagher Premiership play-offs for a seventh-successive season were effectively ended by Bristol on Friday night.
Sale bowed out of the Heineken Champions Cup following a 41-22 quarter-final defeat to Racing 92 in Paris.
We round up all the action from Friday's two Premiership matches, which saw important wins for Northampton and Sale.
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