Gloucester-Hartpury win as Exeter and Bristol reach semis

Gloucester-Hartpury extended their lead at the top of Premiership Women's Rugby with a 61-26 victory at Loughborough Lightning.

The heavy defeat for Loughborough ended their hopes of reaching the play-off semi-finals.

They needed to win all of their remaining four games to stand any chance of catching Bristol Bears in fourth.

That means Bristol now join Gloucester-Hartpury, second-placed Saracens and Exeter Chiefs, currently in third, in the end-of-season play-offs.

Gloucester-Hartpury picked up where they left off in the league's resumption this weekend after a two-month break for the Women's Six Nations.

They maintained their 100% record this season by running in nine tries against Loughborough to secure a 14th consecutive victory.

England's Tatyana Heard, Alex Matthews and Neve Jones all scored two tries each for the visitors, with Natasha Hunt, Laura Delgado and Steph Else also going over.

Exeter booked their spot in the semi-finals after winning 40-10 at Trailfinders on Saturday.

Susie Appleby's team only needed a point to qualify but came away with five as hooker Cliodhna Moloney scored twice in the bonus-point victory.

International players were also welcomed back to their clubs for the fixtures with the likes of England and Saracens wing Jess Breach returning.

Breach scored twice in Saracens' 54-21 win over Sale Sharks at the Stone X Stadium.

Elsewhere, Harlequins beat Leicester Tigers 47-12 at the Stoop.

The Quins performance included a try by prop Shaunagh Brown on her 100th appearance for the club.