Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of May 29-31

It's been a busy weekend in the sport sphere, and rugby union was blessed to see two European finals, the Top 14 playoffs get underway, the Barbarians back in action and a Champions Cup playoff crescendo.

Those claiming domestic titles unsurprisingly make up a number of this week's winners, but it wasn't all smiles in the England camp, as Dylan Hartley's recent controversies look to have landed him in more hot water.

Read on for a rundown of the biggest winners and losers in rugby union this weekend, with Saracens, Gloucester and Glasgow Warriors all featuring for a variety of reasons.

Winner: Saracens

Owen Farrell came out on top of his head-to-head against fellow England No. 10 George Ford on Saturday to lead Saracens to a deserved 28-16 Premiership final win over Bath.

Some may argue the Sarries playmaker should have seen red for a high challenge on Anthony Watson, but the point remains that Mark McCall's side gained redemption for their defeat to Northampton Saints 12 months ago.

Correcting the mistakes of that failed Twickenham appearance, Saracens were a more impulsive beast this time around and scored all three of their tries by half-time, a blow from which Bath couldn't come back.

Four years on from their maiden Premiership title win, the Allianz Park outfit now have a second crown in their collection. McCall may feel there's more to come.

Loser: Dylan Hartley

Ross Land/Associated Press

Dylan Hartley's loss has very much been Jamie George's gain of late. The former was handed a four-game ban for head-butting the latter when Saracens beat Saints to a place in the Premiership final, but Hartley may now find he's gift-wrapped his World Cup spot to the very man he offended.

After contributing a stellar performance in the Premiership win over Bath, George is being touted as a potential star for England this year, with ESPN Scrum's Tom Hamilton among those to report on Hartley's exclusion from Stuart Lancaster's squad.

Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie was also terrific in setting up a couple of tries for an England XV that demolished the Barbarians 73-12 on Sunday, handing Hartley another unwelcome obstacle.

The Northampton hooker has always had a reputation for misbehaviour, and it appears his latest infringement may prove all too costly. Asked whether Hartley's England career could be over, Lancaster is quoted by the Independent's Hugh Godwin as saying:

“That’s a very real possibility. There are so many good young players in this country. For anyone not selected for a playing reason or who gives up the shirt for a disciplinary reason then ultimately, yes, it’s a real possibility.”

So soon after Manu Tuilagi pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting a police officer, it's another disappointing—and easily avoidable—loss for the England team.

Rugby may be regarded as one of the most physical sports in the world, but Hartley's track record for lashing out on the pitch would certainly indicate some deal better with the tension than others.

Winner: England Hopefuls

Three days after the Baa Baas claimed an entertaining 22-21 win over an Ireland XV, Robbie Deans' side were made to look like amateurs against an England collective, with Lancaster assuredly overjoyed with the win.

Against a Barbarians lineup of such awesome pedigree, a host of England fringe players looked comfortable in the international setting and will have only given their coach further dilemmas leading into the World Cup.

The aforementioned Cowan-Dickie, Christian Wade, Danny Cipriani and Marland Yarde were just some of those looking seriously slick at Twickenham.

Elliot Daly and Josh Beaumont were also among those raising a hand for future contention, and the strength in depth amassing under Lancaster makes for some impressive viewing.

Loser: Gloucester

Paul Thomas/Getty Images

Gloucester had Champions Cup rugby ripped from their hands after an extra-time drop-goal from Pierre Bernard steered Bordeaux Begles to a 23-22 win in Sunday's playoff final.

The Cherry and Whites were seconds from booking their place in Europe's premier contest next season, but Laurie Fisher's side gave up possession at the death and paid the penalty as a result.

An agonising defeat means the reigning Challenge Cup champions will have to settle for an attempted title defence rather than moving up the continental ranks.

Winner: Glasgow Warriors

Righting the wrongs of last season's runner-up finish, Glasgow Warriors went one better on Saturday as they beat Munster 31-13 to clinch the 2014-15 Pro12 crown.

In doing so, Gregor Townsend's men not only secured the club's first league trophy but became the first Scottish club to claim the Pro12 championship.

Rarely allowing their Irish foes within sight, Glasgow's victory was well deserved, and tries from Rob Harley, DTH van der Merwe, Henry Pyrgos and Finn Russell ensured Munster were soundly beaten on the day.

On the other end of the result, it's worth noting that Paul O'Connell's Munster career most likely came to an end in defeat, although this goodbye performance wasn't befitting of the legacy he will leave at Thomond Park.