PREMIERSHIP ROUND-UP

ANTHONY WATSON helped Leicester Tigers to a six-try 46-24 victory over Bristol but boss Richard Wigglesworth wrote off their chances of a top-two finish.

Wing Watson was the only one of England’s defeated side from Dublin last week to start with Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet and Dan Cole benched.

He latched onto Handre Pollard’s first-half cross kick for Leicester’s second score before a second period demolition, with four more scores that finished Bears off.

But Wigglesworth thinks Sale have second place secured and his third-placed Tigers will have to settle for an away tie in the playoffs.

He said: ‘I had a look last week and the fixtures they (Sale) have got and they don’t need many points to finish second. We know if we keep on winning the next game we will end up in the top four.’

London Irish moved into fourth place with a 37-22 success at home over Northampton. Talented young forward Tom Pearson gave England boss Steve Borthwick a nudge in his direction with a fine-all-round display which included a first-half try at the Gtech Stadium.