Gallagher Premiership Rugby permutations: Who will join Northampton and Saracens in semi-finals?

Five clubs are competing to join Northampton Saints and Saracens in the play-off semi-finals on the final day of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby regular season, this Saturday May 18.

TNT Sports and discovery+ will be at the StoneX Stadium for Saracens v Sale Sharks, and also at the Twickenham Stoop, where Harlequins take on Bristol Bears, with all fixtures kicking off at 15:05.

It has been one of the closest battles for the post-season in many years and there could be plenty of changes in the live table on what is set to be a dramatic afternoon of rugby.

Northampton have looked good at the top of the table for a while and they earned a home tie by thumping Gloucester 90-0 on Saturday, a points record for a home game in England's top flight and second only to Richmond's 106-12 victory at Bedford in 1999.

The Saints will try to lock in their position as top seeds when they go to Bath, who are in the mix to join them in the top four. Two points will be enough to guarantee that.

Defending champions Saracens beat Leicester 31-22 on Friday to secure their place in the semis, but they will confirm home advantage by beating play-off chasing Sale on the final day.

A draw will also be enough if Bath do not beat Northampton.

Bath are in pole position to reach the semis, needing just a point against Northampton to guarantee their spot. A home tie can also be achieved with victory, providing Saracens have not beaten Sale.

The Sharks occupy fourth place, the last spot for the play-offs, and have their destiny in their own hands. Victory at Saracens would take them through.

Should either of those teams slip up, there is an opportunity for three others to take advantage. Exeter are best placed to do that. 

The Chiefs require a bonus point win against Leicester, who are out of the running after losing to Sale last time out, but even then they have to hope Bath fail to pick up a point against Northampton or that the Sharks are unable to beat Saracens.

Harlequins and Bristol Bears face each other at the Twickenham Stoop, with both sides knowing they must win to keep their chances alive.

Do that, and they need results to go their way elsewhere. If Sale lose, and Exeter fail to win, they will also finish in the top four.

There is no relegation this season, so Newcastle are safe - though they could finally get their first league win of the campaign, on the final day, by beating Gloucester - who are focused on a European Challenge Cup final with Sharks on May 24.

The Cherry and Whites will reach the Investec Champions Cup next season if they win that match, but if not, the last spot in Europe's top club competition will go to Leicester - who are guaranteed to finish eighth.

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