Newcastle clinched their first English Premiership title in style on Sunday, running in six tries as they cruised to a 44-20 victory over Harlequins at the Stoop.

The emphatic win meant Newcastle, in their first season in the Premiership, finished a point ahead of Saracens at the top of the table.

Newcastle laid the foundation for their victory before half-time. Captain Gary Armstrong of Scotland, Richard Arnold and Irish front-rower Nick Popplewell all scored as they went 22-6 ahead at the break.

Player-coach Rob Andrew, who also kicked four conversions and two penalties, touched down after the interval and further tries from Pat Lam and Armstrong completed a comprehensive performance by Newcastle.

"This is up their with the best moments in my career, if not the best," said former England fly-half Andrew. "Today we had to win, losing wasn't an option."

Hugh Harries, with a dazzling effort, and Dan Luger grabbed consolation tries for Harlequins and Frenchman Thierry Lacroix kicked two penalties and two conversions for the home side.

Meanwhile, London Irish coach Dick Best believes his side have too much class to go down at Rotherham on Wednesday in the play-offs first leg but he is still warning against complacency.

The relegation-threatened outfit fielded a second XV against Leicester today in order to rest their stars for their upcoming vital clash, and they crashed to a 55-16 defeat.

Despite entering the key match with losing momentum, Best believes his team should be prepared and focused.

"If we play well and use our brains then it shouldn't be too much of a problem," said Best.

"But if we think that we deserve to win then we will get thrashed off the park.

"The Second Division side are desperate to make it into the First Division and therefore they give it absolutely everything in the first leg.

"Especially if London Scottish had won today Rotherham would have even more of an incentive to beat us."

Best believes that his side have come a long way since the dark days of January, just before he took over. But the former England coach knows how tough and determined Yorkshire sides can be.

"Rotherham is a really, really tough place to go and play. They have a partisan crowd that really gets behind their team and you have to be at your best.

"Fortunately it is a two-leg affair and not like a cup game, so I think that we should be safe even if we have to win down here."