Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of December 26-27

A Boxing Day weekend of sport provided ample entertainment as rugby fans from across Europe were given a late Christmas gift in the form of thrills, spills and plenty of entertainment.

However, it wasn't the smoothest of weeks for ex-All Black Dan Carter after he fell victim to a prank in his Paris abode, while Newcastle Falcons were the other big losers in recent days.

Saracens maintained their run at the Premiership summit with a win over Wasps, but it was Harlequins and Gloucester who produced the most prolific clash of the English fixture schedule.

Read on for all that and more as we dissect the biggest winners and losers in rugby this weekend.

Winner: Kintetsu Liners

Kintetsu Liners left it until the last week of the normal 2015-16 campaign to secure their spot in the Top League quarter-finals after beating NTT Shining Arcs 20-18 to move above their foes into the final four of Pool B.

The Liners headed into Saturday's clash sitting fifth, just two points behind their opponents. The Arcs may have clinched a losing bonus point in Osaka, but the home side's victory was enough to ensure they moved into fourth before January's playoffs get underway.

They join Suntory Sungoliath (third), Toshiba Brave Lupus (second) and Panasonic Wild Knights (first) in Pool B's final four, while Kobelco Steelers (first), Canon Eagles (second), Yamaha Jubilo (third) and Toyota Verblitz (fourth) were already confirmed as Pool A's top finishers.

The Liners now face a huge task in overcoming the Steelers in their quarter-final clash on January 9 and will be hoping to keep the odds turning in their favour as they hope to prolong their campaign.

Loser: Dan Carter

Dan Carter has enjoyed a comfortable start to life in Paris since making the switch to Top 14 giants Racing 92, but the New Zealander was taken aback after falling victim to a friend's cruel joke this past week (h/t ESPN Scrum).

The World Cup winner took to his official Instagram account to express his dismay after receiving a mountain of copies of his autobiography, having agreed to sign "a couple of the books for Christmas."

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Winner: London Irish

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

London Irish secured their first win of the Premiership season in spectacular fashion on Saturday, stunning Northampton Saints 25-23 at the Madejski Stadium to finally move off the base of the standings.

Shane Geraghty converted a late penalty try to confirm the two-point victory, leaving coach Jim Mallinder's men in miserable spirits after being buoyed by the return of hooker and captain Dylan Hartley.

With Exeter Chiefs defeating Sale Sharks on Saturday, the loss leaves Northampton outside the top four and 12 points adrift of the Premiership summit, suffering badly as a result of their close loss in Reading.

But for the Exiles, the win over the Saints could be used as a springboard to morale, showing Tom Coventry's men their campaign is indeed far from over.

Loser: Newcastle Falcons

David Rogers/Getty Images

It seemed like Newcastle Falcons were on course for their first win of the season after taking a shock early lead at Welford Road on Saturday only to see Leicester Tigers roar back in dominant fashion.

Dean Richards' side found themselves up 10-0 after just 15 minutes thanks to a try from No. 8 Nili Latu Langilangi, but Leicester proceeded to put 22 unanswered points past their guests to cap a 22-10 turnaround.

Freddie Burns kicked the extras following scores from Telusa Veainu, Peter Betham and Laurence Pearce, and the Falcons finished with a miserable 25 percent share of the possession, according to ESPN Scrum.

Following London Irish's first win of the 2015-16 Premiership campaign, Newcastle now sit bottom of the table and continue their search for a first win following an embarrassing shutout in Leicester.

Winner: Twickenham

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Neither Harlequins nor Gloucester could pull away from Sunday's Premiership clash with a win in hand, but the Twickenham audience was left content with the entertainment of a 78-point thriller.

The two teams walked away with a share of the spoils following a 39-39 draw, where each team recorded five tries in what was a terrific back-and-forth battle between two English rivals.

Ross Chisholm bagged a double for Quins while Henry Trinder replicated that feat for the Cherry and Whites, and a last-gasp kick from Kiwi Nick Evans was enough to secure the draw.

Gloucester can perhaps be disappointed not to come away with a maximum five points, but the audience certainly won't debate the quality of the game itself.