 Geordan Murphy's try set Leicester on their way to victory |
Leicester: (12) 35
Tries: G Murphy, Deacon, Corry, Penalty
Cons: Goode 3
Pens: Goode 3
Sale: (16) 23
Tries: Hodgson, Bruno
Cons Hodgson 2
Pens: Hodgson 3
Leicester gained a measure of revenge for last season's Premiership final defeat with victory over champions Sale in a superb advert for the Premiership.
The Tigers led 12-3 early on with tries from Geordan Murphy and Louis Deacon.
But Charlie Hodgson landed two penalties and converted his own try to give Sale a 16-12 half-time lead.
Martin Corry flopped over before Sebastien Bruno hit back, but three Andy Goode penalties took Tigers clear and a penalty try sealed a bonus point.
The Sharks were down to 14 men after Chris Jones was sin-binned for taking out Corry off the ball, and their seven-man pack finally caved in under the pressure.
Goode, who missed several kicks to keep Sale within touching distance, converted to put the outcome beyond doubt.
The Sharks, who lost the talismanic Sebastien Chabal at half-time, showed they will not give up their title without a fight, with Hodgson pulling the strings at fly-half.
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There was further encouragement for England head coach Andy Robinson in the shape of several barnstorming runs from Corry. Sale prop Andrew Sheridan also came off the bench in the second half for his first outing since a neck injury ended his campaign last season.
Leicester captain Martin Corry:
"The result last May was hard to take and hangs over you, especially when it is the last game of the season. But it was a case of drawing a line in the sand and re-setting our goals.
"We have laid a few ghosts to rest with this result, but it was only the first game of the season. No trophies are handed out at this stage."
Leicester full-back Geordan Murphy:
"When we held onto the ball we looked dangerous and played some great rugby in patches but it was pretty scrappy.
"It is a long road. Sale are not as sharp as they will get and we have to be a lot sharper if we want to go the whole way."
Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre:
"We had the wind with us in the first half, but we only had a four-point lead at half-time.
"Leicester played very well in the forwards and they deserved to win.
"We were under pressure in the line-outs, and the penalty try and yellow card late on made a big difference."
Leicester: Vesty; G Murphy, Cornwell, Gibson, Varndell; Goode, Bemand; Moreno, Chuter, Castrogiovanni; Kay, Hamilton, Deacon, Jennings, Corry (capt).
Replacements: Buckland, White, Croft, H Tuilagi, F Murphy, Hipkiss, Rabeni.
Sale: Robinson; Cueto, Mayor, Bell, Ripol; Hodgson, Wigglesworth; Faure, Bruno, Turner, Jones, I Fernandez Lobbe, White, Lund, Chabal.
Replacements: Goana, Sheridan, Evans, JM Fernandez Lobbe, Day, Foden, Thomas.
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (Bristol)
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Interview: Martin Corry