A first-half hat-trick from Mark Atkinson saw Gloucester strengthen their play-off credentials with an impressive victory at Northampton.

The centre was backed up by scores from Ruan Ackermann, Ed Slater and Franco Marais in an entertaining encounter.

Northampton also scored five tries of their own through Taqele Naiyaravoro, Piers Francis, Cobas Reinach, Reece Marshall and Rory Hutchinson.

Gloucester have an 11-point lead over Sale in fifth with four games left.

The Cherry and Whites also recorded a third Premiership win in a row for the first time since December 2017 and inflicted just a second home defeat in all competitions this season on Saints.

Northampton remain seventh and will hope not to be sucked into the relegation battle below them, although they hold a healthy 13-point cushion over bottom side Newcastle Falcons.

They still have to travel to Worcester and Newcastle in the bottom two in their last four games as well as host play-off contenders Harlequins and leaders Exeter.

Saints did claim a try bonus point and looked on course for more when winger Naiyarovoro and centre Francis twice put them ahead early on.

But Gloucester showed a clinical edge in the Saints 22 as they kept the hosts at arm's length once Atkinson's second try of the game after 15 minutes put them into a lead they would not relinquish.

The only thing to mar their victory were second-half injuries to fly-half Danny Cipriani (groin), winger Charlie Sharples (ankle) and full-back Tom Hudson (shoulder).

Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd:

"We knew what was going on, but we just didn't deal with it. We still haven't got the necessary accuracy when we come under pressure.

"We have never discussed a finishing position, but we've slipped to seventh.

"We have four games to play, two against sides above us and two below, who are fighting for their lives, so it will be an interesting end to the season."

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann:

"We are not getting over-excited but it's a nice position to be in. But with four games to go, there are still a lot of teams on our tail.

"Mark (Atkinson) caught my eye when I first came to the club and we've always believed in him. He has all the skill as well as being a big physical presence.

"He's now had a good run of games and has developed a good understanding with Danny (Cipriani) and Billy (Twelvetrees) as a midfield trio."

On the initial post-match injury news: "It's the wrong time of the year to pick up injuries. We can't speculate on the extent of them as we will have to wait for scans on Monday.

"Danny (Cipriani) has a groin problem, but hopefully as we brought him off early he will be okay, but Tom Hudson's shoulder and Charlie Sharples' ankle will have to be assessed."

Northampton: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Van Wyk, Marshall, Hill, Moon, Lawes, Ludlam, Brussow, Harrison (capt).

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Waller, Franks, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Mitchell, Burrell, Pisi.

Sin-bin: Naiyaravoro (29 mins).

Gloucester: Hudson; Banahan, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Sharples; Cipriani, Heinz (capt); Hohneck, Marais, Balmain, Slater, Mostert, Ackermann, Kriel, Morgan.

Replacements: Sherry, Rapava Ruskin, Dreyer, Savage, Clarke, Polledri, Braley, Seabrook.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys.

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