Sale second-half power show sinks Leicester

Gallagher Premiership

Sale (12) 39

Tries: D du Preez, Rodd, Reed 2, Opoku-Fordjour, Cowan-Dickie Cons: R du Preez 3 Pens: R du Preez

Leicester (11) 25

Tries: Smith, Steward. Martin Cons: Pollard, Shillcock Pens: Pollard 2

Sale Sharks produced a stunning four-try display in the second half as Leicester Tigers' hopes of keeping pace at the top of the Premiership took a hammering.

Michael Cheika's side began in irresistible form as Nicky Smith opened his account for the club and Handre Pollard kicked one of several penalties conceded by the hosts to seemingly take charge.

Sale responded as Dan du Preez scored on his 100th Sharks appearance and Bevan Rodd powered over to edge them ahead.

Leicester folded in the second half as Arron Reed raced over twice, and Asher Opoku-Fordjour and the excellent Luke Cowan-Dickie added further scores, with Freddie Steward and George Martin conjuring Tigers' only responses.

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.

Replacements: 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.

Replacements: Vanes, Cronin, Cole, Holloway, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Wand

Sin-bin: Heyes (54)

Referee: Adam Leal