Billy

encouraging.” Lawrence Dallaglio, working as a BT Sport pundit, added: “I’m really impressed with the way Billy took responsibility in key moments of the game.”

Sarries set a club record with their 13th successive win against their bitter London rivals.

“There’s a bit of something extra there you probably can’t describe,” Vunipola admitted.

“It’s niggle, it’s whatever. But we stayed in the game and kept our heads.”

■ ENGLAND wing Marland Yarde dislocated his knee helping Sale beat Newcastle 20-7. “It was just horrendous,” said Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond.

HOW THEY STAND

P W D L F A BPts Exeter 6 6 0 0 208 107 5 29 Saracens 6 6 0 0 227 133 5 29 Wasps 6 4 0 2 168 167 3 19 Gloucester 6 3 1 2 168 146 4 18 Leicester 6 3 0 3 169 188 5 17 Harlequins 6 2 0 4 161 155 6 14 Worcester 6 2 0 4 162 137 5 13 Bath 6 2 1 3 146 184 3 13 N’hampton 6 2 0 4 143 163 2 10 Bristol 6 2 0 4 120 199 2 10 Sale 6 2 0 4 110 158 1 9 Newcastle 6 1 0 5 123 168 3 7