After two shoulder operations failed to cure a shoulder problem, Paul James has opted to retire and switch his focus to coaching.
The top two in the Top 14 table could not be separated as Clermont Auvergne and Toulouse shared a thrilling draw.
Bath are into the Premiership's top six after beating Wasps, while Gloucester won at Newcastle Falcons.
A victory over Zebre saw Benetton close to within three points of third-placed Scarlets in Pro14 Conference B.
Connacht scored four tries but still lost out to Leinster, who rallied from 17 points down to triumph in dramatic circumstances.
Stade Francais moved up to fifth in the table as Toulon and Racing 92 ran out convincing winners in Saturday's Top 14 action.
Saracens had not suffered defeat since April, but they were soundly beaten by Exeter Chiefs to lose top spot in the Premiership.
Cobus Reinach and Luther Burrell scored intercept tries and Dan Biggar had a good outing at the tee in a comfortable win for Northampton.
The Dragons looked set to earn a draw despite playing for almost 50 minutes with a man down, but Cardiff Blues denied them right...
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Timisoara Saracens have been punished for not doing enough to try to get the game against Northampton Saints to go ahead last Saturday.
Bernard Laporte, the president of the French Rugby Federation, says rugby must evolve, with changes to attitudes and the rules on tackling.
The NFL International Player Pathway Program will include Christian Wade and Valentine Holmes next year.
Lock Rory Arnold says the timing was right to leave the Bumbies and ply his trade in the Top 14 with Toulouse next year.
It has been announced that Premiership Rugby has agreed a sale of 27 per cent of its shares to a private equity firm for...
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Danny Cipriani's hopes of catching Eddie Jones' eye again before the Six Nations appear to be slim after he suffered an injury blow.
Stephen Jones and Jonathan Humphreys will be on the coaching staff in a new era for Wales under Wayne Pivac.