Aviva Premiership round-up: London Welsh relegated after 18th straight defeat

London Welsh were relegated from the Aviva Premiership following an 18th consecutive defeat in the league.

The 29-14 defeat to Bath at the Kassam Stadium was one of the better Welsh performances of the season, but it wasn’t enough for the Exiles to record their first victory of the season.

Rowland Phillips led the dragons for the first time after the departure of Justin Burrell, making six changes to the starting line up, however a second half charge steered by Leroy Houston’s brace moved Bath back into the semi-final places.

Meanwhile, Danny Cipriani returned from England duty to help steer Sale Sharks to within one point of the Aviva Premiership top six following a 23-6 triumph over Gloucester.

Johnny Leota's try and five points from Cipriani gave Sale a 10-6 advantage at the break, before James Hook provided the Cherry and Whites' response in the first half with two penalties, but they could not build on that in the second period as the Sharks dominated the third quarter.

The Red Rose pivot added two more three-pointers and converted Josh Beaumont's touchdown as they kept themselves in play-off contention and probably ended Gloucester's chances of reaching next season's European Champions Cup.