A Matt Burke masterclass inspired Newcastle to a five-try Guinness Premiership mauling of woeful Wasps at Kingston Park.

The Falcons captain looked every inch the World Cup winner as the relegation-threatened home side made the understrength visitors pay for almost every mistake they made en route to a 37-11 victory.

Burke was also aided by an awesome defensive display from his team-mates, in a bonus-point victory that earned a sixth straight home win in all competitions.

Newcastle were without two of their England stars, while the play-off chasing visitors had lost eight players to international duty.

England prop Andrew Sheridan's return to action could not prevent Sale Sharks from slipping to a fourth straight defeat, 14-9 to London Irish.

Sheridan, who had not played since the autumn internationals, made his comeback after 49 minutes at Edgeley Park but could not inspire a flagging Sharks side.

The win sees London leapfrog Sale into seventh place in the Guinness Premiership.

Go to Ladbrokes