Ollie Chessum somehow wriggles through the Sale defence and looks for a moment like he might go all the way, however he is hauled down and Tigers must start again.

No thoughts of a drop-goal for an eight-point lead, they want a killer try.

They are three metres away...

After a dozen phases the ball is spun back to Handre Pollard to try the drop-goal to surely seal it but he skews it wide right from right infront of the uprights.

Such a surprise.

Air out of a balloon.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent on Radio 5 Sports Extra

Another score will take Leicester to the big dance because Sale are running out of time to score twice - but they can certainly score once.

Michael Cheika's hands are clasped infront of his face. In prayer? Couldn't blame him.

He's been in some humdingers down the years, but this is right up there.

Image source, Rex Features

A turnover from replacement Emeka Ilione near his own line is celebrated like a try by Tigers fans and players alike. Not so much by Sale boss Alex Sanderson...

Handre Pollard is back on.

We have six minutes and change remaining...

Handre Pollard is set to return in the fray after passing his head injury assessment.

Ben Volavola will return to the bench... but not quite yet.

George Ford boots Sale into the Tigers 22 after an infringement by Adam Radwan, so Pollard's first duty will be to watch his side defend.

Freddie Steward produces a try-saving tackle on the right flank as JL Du Preez looked for all the world as if he would jink past him and make it into the corner to level the scores.

Great break from the Sharks, however, which will give them heart in the final 10 minutes.

There's an emotional departure for Argentina's Julian Montoya as he is withdrawn on his final Tigers game... at Welford Road at least...

Tom Varndell
Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio Leicester

Absolutely coaching genius from Michael Cheika.

Never in doubt, Ben Volavola.

They haven't fired a single shot this half and the two super subs tear Sale apart.

The handling from Volavola...

It's Sale who look the likelier to score the next try at this stage, spreading the ball wide at every opportunity.

A scrum penalty gives George Ford the opportunity to level the scores with his boot, however, and he duly obliges from the right of the posts. He's been imperious.

15 minutes remain, this is going to be epic.

Ben Youngs enters the fray from the Tigers bench, looking for a fairytale farewell.

Image source, PA Media

Handre Pollard is being asked to trudge off for a head injury assessment - not sure if that's to do with the collision with the post, or a recent clash with Ben Curry.

Ben Volavola is on in his stead, for now...

On comes Dan Cole, for the final time at Welford Road. What a reception. 118 England caps and now 342 first team appearances.

This is his 10th Premiership play-offs.

How he'll want to end it on a high.. next week, not just today.

Jack Zorab
BBC Radio Leicester commentator

Now we have a game on.

Sale Sharks needed that score.

We've got a game we were hoping for.

The home fans are trying to get into this, they can feel their side's momentum ebbing away.

A scrum penalty deep in the Sale half dampens the Tigers mood further, however.

ANOTHER handling error from Sale in a promising possession, this time it's George Ford just a couple of metres from the line with the posts at his mercy.

Fine margins.

Good spell from the Sharks but they have nothing to show for it... yet.

Tom Varndell
Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio Leicester

Leicester need to get these exits right.

You can't score points and then give opposition the chance to score points straight away. It just kills any momentum.

Another knock-on, this time from JL Du Preez, gifts the Tigers the ball back in their own 22 and Jack van Poortvliet is able to clear with a superb box-kick towards halfway.

Intriguing phase of the game, this... next score wins?

Image source, Rex Features

Another infringement from Sale in a near identical position gives Handre Pollard the chance to redeem himself... which he duly does.

The sighter was helpful and the Tigers lead is back into double figures.

These conditions are making things very tricky out there, for both sides.

Tigers win a scrum penalty... it's a long way out, seven or eight metres inside the Sale half, but Handre Pollard is going to have a crack.

And he's pushed it right. He's missed two conversions already, how costly could these prove later?