McAlister injured in Sale comeback

It wasn't a momentous return to the English premiership for New Zealand-bound Luke McAlister at the weekend, with the former All Black tearing his hamstring in a crucial 20-38 defeat at Harlequins.

McAlister's former national team-mate Nick Evans was not even able to line up for the London club, but that didn't stop them posting a crucial victory in a matchup between two sides both chasing a spot in the Premiership playoffs. McAlister was only making his return to the field after four weeks off recovering from knee surgery, and limped off after just 26 minutes in a major blow for Sale's chances.

The win boosts Quins to fourth on the standings and drops the Sharks to sixth, five points behind the fourth spot with just four games left. The leading four sides qualify for the playoffs.

Evans' replacement at five-eighth Chris Malone was the star of the show for Quins, landing four penalties and three conversions as the Londoners eased home after the match had been locked 12-12 at the break. Quins scored all four of their tries in the second spell.

Former North Harbour pivot Willie Walker came back to haunt his parent club Gloucester as he contributed nine points in Worcester's upset 14-10 victory over Carlos Spencer's new side.

Walker is at Worcester on loan from Gloucester (because they now have Spencer), but his three penalties proved crucial in a match that prevented Gloucester from going top of the premiership.

Gloucester are now tied on 56 points with Leicester who trounced Saracens 46-16 in the latest round, scoring six tries, including two to former Crusader Scott Hamilton. The Tigers are now being skipped by former All Black Aaron Mauger.

Justin Marshall lined up at halfback for Saracens, but not even his presence could prevent Leicester running away with the match.

London Irish, including Seilala Mapusua and Sailosi Tagicakibau, kept up their quest for a spot in the playoffs with a 32-27 win at home against Northampton, despite a try and four penalties from the Saints' star Kiwi Bruce Reihana.

The win sealed a celebratory weekend for the Exiles after Ireland's Grand Slam triumph, with the club now just a point adrift of top spot on the table.

- © Fairfax NZ News