Leeds Carnegie could be put out of their Guinness Premiership misery within a fortnight after suffering a 66-7 thrashing at the hands of Saracens.

The Yorkshire club were left 14 points adrift of nearest rivals Worcester with just four games remaining and their return to National League One could be confirmed on April 13 if Worcester draw or win against Wasps 24 hours earlier and Leeds finish pointless when they host title play-off challengers Harlequins.

Rugby director Stuart Lancaster said: “The important thing for us now is to remain competitive. We have got to get over this quickly as we’ve got a huge challenge against Bath in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals next weekend.”

Saracens’ triumph moved them back into sixth place above Wasps, and rugby director Alan Gaffney said: “This result was huge for us.

“None of the results went our way on Saturday, but we’ve just got to keep on winning to give ourselves any chance.

“It’s a hard task to qualify (for the play-offs), especially with just four games left.”

Gaffney said his side’s 10-try display was the perfect preparation for next week’s Heineken Cup clash against the Ospreys.

Francisco Leonelli grabbed a hat-trick inside the first 32 minutes as Saracens recorded the biggest Guinness Premiership win of the season.

And after a 30-3 defeat to the Ospreys in last week’s EDF semi-final, Gaffney insisted the Men in Black will be a different proposition at Vicarage Road next Sunday.

He said: “This result was huge for us in that it gives us confidence to play the way we want to play and the way we know we can play. It also gives the players confidence in themselves.

“I thought Francisco had a great game and he ran some really good lines off Brent Russell. He was good under the high ball and was strong in defence - he’s got a high skill level.

“It’s going to be tough picking the side for next week’s game against the Ospreys.”