Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Sale Sharks 39-25 Leicester Tigers

Sale Sharks 39-25 Leicester Tigers, Salford Community Stadium

Sale Sharks claimed a hard-fought 36-25 victory over Leicester Tigers in an enthralling Premiership encounter at AJ Bell Stadium.

Despite Tigers leading for much of the first half, the Sharks surged in the second period to secure the win.

Leicester came out strong, with Freddie Steward making an early line break and Handré Pollard orchestrating play. Persistent forward pressure eventually paid off as Nicky Smith powered over for his maiden Tigers try.

Pollard extended the lead with a penalty, giving the visitors a 10-0 advantage.

However, Sale responded through No. 8 Dan du Preez, marking his 100th appearance with a try after a well-executed cross-field kick and offload.

Pollard’s penalty briefly re-established Leicester’s lead, but Sharks’ Bevan Rodd crashed over from close range, and Rob du Preez’s conversion gave the hosts a slender one-point lead at halftime.

The second half saw a complete turnaround. Arron Reed scored two quick tries, capitalizing on precise passing and exploiting gaps in the Tigers’ defense.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour added another for Sale, extending their lead as Leicester struggled to regain momentum. Joe Heyes’ yellow card for head contact further compounded Tigers’ woes.

Leicester fought back valiantly, with Jed Holloway’s turnover sparking a counterattack that led to Steward’s try. Steward nearly added a second but was thwarted by a last-ditch defensive effort from Sale.

Sale put the game out of reach with a rolling maul try and a penalty from Rob du Preez, leaving Leicester chasing bonus points.

George Martin scored a late try for the Tigers, but they fell short of a fourth, ending a spirited but ultimately fruitless comeback attempt.

This victory reinforces Sale Sharks' dominance at home and highlights their ability to turn the tide with blistering second-half performances, while Leicester Tigers will need to regroup and focus on converting early advantages into wins.

Team line up:

Sale: Carpenter; Roebuck, R. du Preez, James, Reed; Ford, Warr; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Van Rhyn, Andrews, T Curry, B Curry, D du Preez.

Reserves: McElroy, McIntyre, Harper, JL du Preez, Burrow, Dugdale, Quirke, Addison.

Leicester: Steward; Watson, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Clare, Heyes, Martin, Manz, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.

Reserves: Vanes, Cronin, Cole, Holloway, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Wand.