Premiership: Leicester Tigers 31-40 Sale Sharks - Manu Tuilagi scores try against former club

Manu Tuilagi made two appearances for Leicester during the 2019-20 season prior to his move to Sale in July

Manu Tuilagi scored a try against his former club as Sale beat Leicester to regain second spot in the Premiership.

Tuilagi went under the posts for Sale's second touchdown after AJ MacGinty had crossed earlier in the first half.

Jono Ross and Denny Solomona also went in either side of a Tigers try through Hanro Liebenberg in the second period.

The Tigers hit back with late tries from Jake Kerr and Freddie Steward taking them to within six points of Sale, but the visitors held on.

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Prior to the game, the focus was on England centre Tuilagi - so often the hero at Welford Road - who started against Leicester for the first time since leaving in July.

The 29-year-old, who made 128 appearances for the Tigers, moved to Sale after failing to agree terms on an amended contract,

But it was Leicester who began the brighter, missing a golden opportunity for an opening try when Nemani Nadolo spilled the ball while offloading on the Sharks' line.

And Sale punished some sloppy play when USA international MacGinty crossed in the 17th minute as consecutive penalties allowed the visitors to attack from five metres out.

England's George Ford pegged Steve Diamond's side back two minutes later with a penalty to make it 6-10, before Tuilagi went under the posts following a fine pass from Faf du Klerk.

The visitors scored a third try through Ross five minutes after the restart, although Leicester's Liebenberg soon reduced their lead, charging down a du Klerk clearance and crossing in the 52nd minute.

Sale looked to have wrapped up a third consecutive victory in style when Solomona scored a bonus-point try to give his side a 19-37 lead with 16 minutes remaining.

But late scores from Kerr and Steward made it a nervy finish, before MacGinty collected another three points to take his personal tally to 19 and seal the win.

Tuilagi 'wanted to exorcise a demon' - match reaction

Leicester director of rugby Geordan Murphy:

"We gave ourselves too much to do in the first half, and we were chasing it from there.

"We scored some good tries in the second half and we put Sale under some pressure, but it was disappointing to come away with nothing in terms of points.

"There are positives we can take out of it. This team will get stronger."

Sale boss Steve Diamond:

"He [Tuilagi] wanted to play to exorcise a demon, and I think he did that by scoring a try.

"Overall, I am happy. We got five points, and I have never got that here before, so it's a good win for us.

"They are a different team now that Steve [Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick] has got hold of them. They fight for everything. It's the hardest game we've had this season.

"I see it [play-off race] going down to the wire. I think those who manage their squad best over the next week or so will get the ascendancy."

Leicester: Steward; Williams, Taute, Scott, Nadolo; Ford (capt), B Youngs; Genge, Clare, Cole, Lavanini, Green, Wells, Wallace, Liebenberg.

Replacements: Kerr, Gigena, Leatigaga, Henderson, Taufua, White, Henry, Porter.

Sale: L James; Solomona, Tuilagi, Van Rensburg, Yarde; MacGinty, De Klerk; Oosthuizen, Van der Merwe, Cooper-Woolley, JL du Preez, De Jager, Ross (capt), T Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Ashman, Morozov, John, Neild, Postlethwaite, Quirke, S James, Reed.

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