Leeds relegated after brief premiership stay

Leeds’ one-season stay in the English Premiership came to an end on Saturday when their relegation was confirmed thanks to a 39-16 defeat at leaders Gloucester.

Gloucester’s win, which featured a hat-trick of tries from Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera, sealed their place in the play-offs where they are favourites to get home advantage.

Leeds will learn from their brief stay in the top flight, said head coach Stuart Lancaster.

“I am disappointed with the overall result of the game and we did more in it than the score says but it was our own fault,” he said.

“I felt more positives than negatives coming out of it. I thought we played very well first-half. We controlled it and played at our pace.

We conceded two soft tries and going into the second half, we were confident.

“Unfortunately, we had a poor start to the second half and, ultimately, that was the difference between the two teams.

“There is no doubt that the Premiership is moving on a yearly basis.

You only have to look at Gloucester, with the strength they have in their squad, and it is a big gulf between National League One and here.”

Sapa-AFP