PREM Rugby play-off permutations with two rounds to go

The top four sides will reach the play-offs and give themselves a chance to lift the Prem Rugby title and secure their place in the history books.

Northampton Saints, Bath and Leicester Tigers are already guaranteed to finish in the top four, but all three are now focused on securing a home semi-final.

Saints are in the strongest position, sitting on 67 points, ahead of Bath on 63 and Tigers on 62. Only a dramatic collapse combined with unlikely results would prevent them finishing in the top two.

Second and third will face off on the final day at The Rec in what is shaping up to be a decisive match to determine who earns home advantage in the semi-final, which will likely be against each other.

Before that, Bath travel to face Bristol Bears, while Leicester host Exeter Chiefs.

Two key stats add extra intrigue to the run-in: Leicester have never lost a home semi-final, and no team has ever finished third in the table and gone on to win the title.

With Tigers having taken 34 of a possible 35 points at home, securing home advantage remains a major priority.

Below them, three teams are battling for the final play-off place. Exeter are currently fourth on 55 points, followed by Saracens on 52 and Bristol on 50.

Bristol must beat Bath this Friday to stay in contention, while Exeter and Saracens meet on the final day at Sandy Park in what could become a straight shootout for the last spot.

Exeter still have a difficult away trip to Leicester before that, while Saracens host London rivals Harlequins in a more favourable fixture.

Mark McCall’s Saracens side have reignited their play-off hopes with four consecutive wins, having looked out of the race not long ago.

Below them, the top eight finish in Champions Cup qualification spots, while the bottom two enter the Challenge Cup.

Newcastle Red Bulls are already bottom, but only four points separate Gloucester in ninth and Sale Sharks in seventh, with Harlequins in between.

Sale and Gloucester both have favourable fixtures against Newcastle in their final two games, while Harlequins face Saints alongside a tough clash with Saracens.

Sale host Bristol on the final day, while Gloucester face a difficult trip to Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.