Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of May 8-10

An elite crop of Wales internationals have received mixed news on their potential futures under coach Warren Gatland, with Jamie Roberts and George North in the headlines this weekend with differing fortunes.

These past few days have also seen the Aviva Premiership hierarchy undergo drastic change as the end of the 2014-15 campaign rolls within sight and some English bastions are coping better than others.

Read about all those topics and more as we run down the biggest winners and losers in world rugby this weekend.

Winner: Surging Northampton Saints

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For the first time in their history, Northampton Saints have secured a top-spot finish in the Premiership thanks to Saturday's 46-0 mauling of London Welsh.

Bath remain six points away from Jim Mallinder's side with just a single round of play left in the normal campaign, and the reigning champions are therefore assured a home semi-final.

Following last season's last-gasp Premiership final triumph over Saracens, this term will go down as another hugely successful season at Franklin's Gardens as the club continues on its upward trajectory.

Mallinder now leads his team to Welford Road next Saturday knowing the pressure is off as they seek to further cement their supremacy and ready themselves for another play-off run.

Loser: George North

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It's been a hugely positive weekend for the Saints as a whole, but winger North was handed a warning in his return from injury, related to the numerous concussions he's picked up in the past year.

Speaking to the Sunday Times (h/t ESPN Scrum), Wales coach Gatland said that, ideally, he'd like to see the back rest until this summer's World Cup, but he knows it's unlikely given Northampton's success:

"

I had a meeting with George's agent and said if I was being purely selfish I would say 'George, don't play in the last few games, get yourself right for the World Cup.' If he gets another knock he's going to have to be out for six months or a year.

He has been out for a considerable amount of time but he's such a young player that if he picks up two or three more of those in the next year, that's going to finish his career isn't it? 

That is a concern but I can understand Northampton being desperate to get him back playing, particularly as they get to the end of the season.

"

Concussion and head injuries in general is a topic courting increasingly fervent debate in rugby circles, and North has been one of the prime subjects of late given his numerous unfortunate scrapes.

Gatland is right to outline the long-term safety of a player over any short-term glory to be had right now, and it would be a terrible shame were such a bright career stunted, or worse, brought to a premature end.

Winner: Jamie Roberts

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In a slightly different mood to team-mate North this week is Racing Metro centre Roberts, rumoured to be making his way to the Premiership this summer after ending his time in France.

Per the Press Association (via ESPN Scrum), Roberts looks set for a move to Harlequins at the end of this season after rejecting a deal with former club Cardiff Blues.

In other top-tier nations, being based in a foreign league can hurt one's chance of international selection, but Gatland is quoted in the report as telling the BBC Roberts is in no grave danger:

"

There's not a hard and fast rule as there is with England. 

There are exceptions where players who have been playing outside of Wales and there are one or two wildcards we could pick. 

They do play outside of Wales but they could be selected, but I think the long-term goal is to have a policy where, ideally, we pick players who are playing in Wales.

"

Roberts would certainly be among those players who has earned "elite" status in the national team pecking order, perhaps more able to risk not being seen by Gatland quite as often on the club scene.

It may be a blow to the Welsh regions, Blues in particular, but this summer's return to the United Kingdom looks to be a win-win situation for Roberts.

Loser: Wasps

First and foremost, the 2014-15 campaign has been one of major positives for Wasps, but the Coventry-based outfit saw their Premiership play-off hopes crumble on Saturday as they suffered a 26-21 defeat to Leicester.

The bonus-point loss means Dai Young's men remain five points off the top four, and Exeter Chiefs' 24-20 win against Saracens will lead them to contend for fourth or even third place.

Wasps are only a couple of wins off their fellow Champions Cup contenders and could be looking forward to a post-season fight had they beaten the Tigers this weekend.

It's on those close calls that entire seasons are shaped, but one thing for sure is that Wasps are gaining yards on the English hierarchy and will look to compete even more ferociously next season.

Winner: Fiji Sevens

Fiji are just one step away from claiming what would be their second Sevens World Series championship title after emerging as victors in the Glasgow leg of the tournament on Sunday.

A 24-17 win over reigning Sevens world champions New Zealand in this weekend's cup final in Scotland gave Fiji their fourth leg victory of the season, but South Africa remain just five points behind in the standings.

Ben Ryan has given the team a hugely encouraging structure since arriving at their helm a short 18 months ago, and this side is only on the up under his command.

All that's needed now is a strong flourish to end the campaign in London next weekend, with another world crown in sight for the Fijians.