Gloucester edged their top of the table clash with Bath 8-6 to book a play-off date with Leicester, who earned a semi-final spot against all odds on an amazing final day of the regular season.

Bath, who lost influential prop Matt Stevens and hooker Lee Mears to injury, must now travel to Adams Park to take on high-flying Wasps, who overcame a tricky start to thump relegated Leeds 45-28.

Few would have given Leicester much chance of reaching the final-four at the start of the day - or at half-time when they trailed 21-12 - and the defending league champions would likely have been delighted just to have secured a Heineken Cup spot for next season.

But a Tom Varndell try in the final minute earned them a 31-28 comeback win over Harlequins and denied their opponents the fourth play-off place they would have secured as a result of Sale's 17-7 loss to London Irish.

Sale were unable to secure the single bonus-point they needed and, until Varndell touched down for his second try, it was Harlequins who looked destined for the play-offs.

Gloucester, who had led the Premiership for most of the season, just about deserved their victory and scored the game's only try through man-of-the-match James Simpson-Daniel (pictured) five minutes before the break.

Dean Ryan's side, who lost England centre Mike Tindall in the first half, produced a fantastic defensive display with Akapusi Qera and Iain Balshaw leading the rearguard action.

Sale have at least claimed a Heineken Cup spot for next season after finishing fifth in the table, while Quins can still make Europe's premier club competition if Bath beat Worcester in the final of the Challenge Cup.

Premiership Play-offs - May 19

Wasps v Bath (Adams Park) - 14:00

Gloucester v Leicester (Kingsholm) - 16:30

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport