The focus is set to switch to European competition next weekend, with Irish visiting Section Paloise in Pool C on Saturday, and Newcastle hosting Worcester Warriors in Pool A the day prior.

Irish raced into an early lead as Kyle Rowe crossed before Hassell-Collins grabbed his first two scores either side of a Sean Robinson effort for Newcastle.

Irish’s Steve Mafi and Falcons’ Callum Chick exchanged tries at the end of the first half before Hassell-Collins completed his treble 12 minutes into the second period and Agustin Creevy extended the hosts’ lead further. Adam Radwan notched a stunning third try for Newcastle late on.

Meanwhile, Worcester recorded a 32-31 win over Heineken Champions Cup side Wasps at Sixways Stadium thanks to tries from Gareth Simpson, Duhan Van Der Merwe, Ted Hill and Will Chudley, in addition to 12 points from the boot of Fin Smith.

Alex Lozowski kicked five penalties for Saracens as they fell to an 18-15 defeat at Exeter Chiefs.

In the United Rugby Championship, Dragons’ Ellis Shipp and Mesake Doge dotted down for late scores as they were beaten 33-14 at Glasgow Warriors.

An all-EPCR Challenge Cup encounter in the TOP 14 saw RC Toulon draw 16-16 at Section Paloise, who levelled in the dying moments as Antoine Hastoy converted Beka Gorgadze’s try.

Leone Nakarawa had earlier crossed for Toulon, with Louis Carbonel kicking 11 points – a tally matched by Pau’s Hastoy.

Another clash between two EPCR Challenge Cup teams proved more one-sided - Charlie Ngatai, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Jordan Taufua, Toby Arnold, Beka Saghinadze all went over as Lyon thrashed CA Brive 41-0 at Matmut Stadium de Gerland. Léo Berdeu kicked 14 points for the hosts.

Joe Jonas scored a consolation try as Biarritz Olympique suffered a 39-11 defeat at ASM Clermont Auvergne, while USAP also went down to Heineken Champions Cup opposition, losing 30-6 at Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

Winger Ollie Hassell-Collins scored a hat-trick as London Irish beat fellow EPCR Challenge Cup contenders Newcastle Falcons 43-21 at Brentford Community Stadium in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.