Jonny Wilkinson gave Lions boss Sir Clive Woodward a welcome boost by completing a full 80 minutes of rugby as Newcastle Falcons beat London Irish at Kingston Park. Wilkinson scored six penalties and played with increasing assurance in a performance that should book his ticket on the Lions' plane to New Zealand. As an added bonus he has also kept alive the Falcons' dreams of returning to the Heineken Cup next season.
Despite the 23-16 defeat, London Irish also returned home in good spirits after securing the bonus point they needed to secure their Premiership status.
The game turned into a kicking contest between fly-halves Barry Everitt and Wilkinson, with the England captain coming out on top. Irish started the brighter of the two sides, with former Leicester flanker Paul Gustard prominent in the loose. They were rewarded for their early dominance with a try for winger Delon Armitage after just five minutes.
The Falcons grew in confidence as the half wore on, and Matt Burke scored a try after Wilkinson cut inside and brilliantly passed out of the tackle. Wilkinson was unable to convert from wide out. An Everitt penalty either side of half-time made it 13-8 to Irish.
Wilkinson responded with another long-range effort after 51 minutes, and another five minutes later as the Falcons edged nervously in front 14-13. Everitt sent a 66th-minute penalty wide and was made to rue it as the Falcons reasserted control with two more Wilkinson penalties to make it 20-13. Everitt replied with a 77th-minute penalty, but Wilkinson's sixth of the day in the 80th minute made the game safe for the Falcons.
It guaranteed Newcastle that place in the wildcard play-offs, and they will travel to Gloucester, despite the West Countrymen losing at home to Saracens - the Men in Blacks' first ever win at Kingsholm.
The power of Saracens' pack was enough to earn them a 14-13 win. The visitors' victory was built totally on their no-frills approach as they rarely opened out. It was their sustained pressure on the Gloucester line that led to the crucial penalty try awarded by referee David Rose in the 72nd minute.
Gloucester's failure to win at home again brought a dismal end to their league campaign. They would have done better to put more faith in their backs, but in keeping it tight they played right into Saracens' hands. WhileGloucester did well in the line-out, Saracens' driving forward power made all the difference.
After an early Duncan McRae penalty for Gloucester, Saracens launched a series of counterattacks, and Raphaël Ibañez set up a try for Ben Johnston. Nicky Little converted as the home fans complained, claiming a forward pass in the scoring move.
In the second half Gloucester took the lead through an Olly Morgan try, which McRae concerted. Minutes later, though, James Forrester was sent to the bin and as Saracens hit back they got their crucial penalty try, which Glen Jackson converted to give them a lead they would never relinquish.
