Premiership Rugby: Five things we learned from round 20 as the race for the semi-finals heats up

Round 20 was another crucial stop on the road to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby semi-finals, with several sides desperate to get points on the board. 

Northampton Saints got off to the best possible start, beating Bath Rugby 45-26 on Friday night, but Exeter Chiefs ensured they remained in the race for the top four with a 24-5 win against Newcastle Falcons in Saturday's only game. 

Sunday saw Leicester Tigers record their fourth league win in a row against Gloucester Rugby before London Irish impressed with a victory over second-place side Sale Sharks. 

And the action came to a dramatic conclusion as Bristol Bears leapfrogged Harlequins in the table following a 51-26 win over the West London side. 

So after another incredible round of action, here are the main takeaways:

Saints down, not out of it despite record loss against Bears

Northampton Saints fans would be forgiven for panicking after Round 19's record top-flight defeat against Bristol Bears. 

The 62-8 loss was a big blow to their confidence, coming right in the middle of the race for a semi-final spot, with as many as seven sides still chasing after third and fourth. 

However, Phil Dowson's team showed nerves of steel to recover with a 45-26 win against Bah Rugby. 

With both sides evenly matched at 17-14 to Saints at half-time, the game could have swung either way.

But the hosts ran away with it after the break and showed precisely why they are in fourth with four rounds of action still to come. 

Saints have played a game more than most of the teams below them, but this weekend's win was crucial to show that last week's performance was just a blip. 

There is still no telling who will occupy the third and fourth spots come the end of Round 24, but if Saints can avoid a repeat of the performance against Bears then there is no reason why they cannot be there. 

Falcons let crucial chances slip against Chiefs

If there was a match in Round 20 that emphasised the importance of making hay while the sun shines, it was Exeter Chiefs' win over Newcastle Falcons.

The weather was appalling at Sandy Park and the conditions certainly played their part as Falcons struggled to convert their first-half possession and territory into points.

A greasy ball became a bar of soap whenever the visitors neared Chiefs' try-line, and it was a testament to the hosts' defence that they were level at 5-5 by the interval.

Then Chiefs' discipline almost cost them, but two yellow cards to Ian Whitten and Aidon Davis either side of half-time were not punished by Falcons.

They failed to score in that 20-minute period, and almost immediately after the home side regained their full complement, Jack Nowell caught Falcons napping and from then on the result was beyond all doubt.

Only Falcons and Bath are truly out of the race for a semi-final spot, and this lack of ruthlessness in crucial moments is a big reason why. 

However, Chiefs should not celebrate too much, they will need to be much better moving forward if they are going to chase down Saints and Tigers.