Richards’s rocket for sluggish Falcons as Saints win

Defending champions Saints ran in three tries during that period through Will Hooley, Alex Waller and Ken Pisi with Hooley also kicking 13 points. The Falcons improved after the interval with Noah Cato scoring before George North touched down late on to secure a bonus point win for the Saints.

Newcastle had 59 per cent possession during the game and Richards admits they need to be more clinical if they are going to end their losing run, which now stands at 19 Premiership games.

“In the first 28 minutes we were dreadful,” said Richards.

“We have to have more accuracy in what we’re doing.”

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill admitted “we got what we deserved” after the Tigers suffered a humiliating 45-0 defeat against Bath at the Recreation Ground.

The Tigers failed to score for only the second time in Premiership history as rampant Bath scored five tries and England fly-half hopeful George Ford kicked 20 points.

“Credit to Bath,” said Cockerill. “It was pretty average from us, at best, and we got exactly what we deserved.”

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea offered an impassioned defence of Chris Robshaw in reaction to a week of “insulting” speculation over his England future. Robshaw responded to his critics with a strong performance topped by a try in Saturday’s 26-23 victory over Wasps.

The 28-year-old’s place as England’s captain and first choice openside has been the subject of debate after he was outplayed by Saracens’ Will Fraser last weekend.

However, an angry O’Shea insists Robshaw’s form in recent years places him beyond reproach. “Someone at the club asked if I wanted to see the press clippings and I told them where to put them,” said O’Shea.

A last-minute try by Billy Vunipola saved Saracens’ unbeaten record at the hands of rejuvenated London Irish.

Tom Arscott scored a hat-trick as Sale secured their first win of the season with a 46-8 thumping of London Welsh.