Exeter Chiefs – who topped Heineken Champions Cup Pool 2 – returned with a bang on Saturday as they eased past Challenge Cup quarter-finalists Leicester Tigers in a 26-13 win at Sandy Park, with tries from flanker Dave Ewers, full-back Stuart Hogg and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie doing the damage.

Victory ensured that Exeter remained top of the Premiership whilst Leicester – who had head coach Steve Borthwick in charge for the first time – remain 11th and will be looking to improve their form ahead of a Challenge Cup quarter-final with Castres Olympique at Welford Road next month.

Pool 1 runners-up Northampton Saints will be the opposition for Exeter in their Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final next month and they returned to domestic action on Sunday with a disappointing 34-21 home defeat against Wasps at Franklin’s Gardens.

Second half tries from scrum-half Alex Mitchell and lock David Ribbans helped the Saints mount a late comeback but they couldn’t reel in Wasps, with wing Josh Bassett bagging a brace for the visitors.

Also on Saturday, Saracens were denied by a late penalty try as they were beaten 16-12 by Challenge Cup quarter-finalists Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

A quartet of successful penalty kicks from fly-half Alex Goode gave Saracens a late lead but they were reeled in after a driving maul was illegally pushed into touch, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a penalty try and send hooker Jamie George to the sin bin.

The defending European champions will face Leinster Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals on September 19, in a mouthwatering rematch from last season’s final in Newcastle.

2020 EPCR dates

Quarter-finals: weekend of 18/19/20 September
Semi-finals: weekend of 25/26/27 September
Heineken Champions Cup final: weekend of 16/17/18 October (venue TBC)
Challenge Cup final: weekend of 16/17/18 October (venue TBC)
Start of 2020/21 season: weekend of 11/12/13 December

Three Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finalists returned to action in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend with mixed results.