Gloucester edged out Guinness Premiership leaders London Irish 23-21 in a thrilling game at Kingsholm.

Second place Gloucester trailed 19-8 at the interval but produced an outstanding second-half display to snatch victory.

England centre Olly Barkley was the hero kicking six penalties while Iain Balshaw crossed for their only try.

Harlequins made light work of Northampton at The Stoop, emerging 27-6 winners, with All Black Nick Evans scoring 17 points.

Fourth-place Sale beat Worcester 37-20 at the Sixways Stadium running in four tries, while Charlie Hodgson kicked 17 points.

Guinness Premiership results

Gloucester (9) 23.

Tries: Balshaw. Pens: Barkley 6.

London Irish (18) 21.

Tries: Thompstone, Ojo. Cons: Hewat. Pens: Hewat 3.

Attendance: 13,974

Harlequins (13) 27.

Tries: Botha, Penalty, J. Evans. Cons: N. Evans 3.

Pens: N. Evans 2.

Northampton (0) 6.

Pens: Myler 2.

Attendance: 12,332

Worcester (10) 20.

Tries: Latham, Garvey. Cons: Carlisle 2. Pens: Carlisle 2.

Sale (16) 37.

Tries: C. Jones, Ripol, Briggs, Bell. Cons: Hodgson 4.

Pens: Hodgson 2. Drop Goals: Hodgson.

Attendance: 10,387