WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION: Table-topping Gloucester-Hartpury thumped Loughborough 61-26 to maintain their 100 per cent record as the English Women’s Premiership resumed at the weekend.

Their closest challengers Saracens overwhelmed bottom club Sale 54-21, and third-placed Exeter won 40-10 at Ealing to ensure that the top three have already qualified for the end of season play-offs.

Harlequins beat struggling Leicester 47-12 in the league’s other game.