Sale secure play-off at home thanks to narrow victory

Sale Sharks booked a home tie in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs after digging deep to defeat Gloucester 25-22 at Kingsholm.

- ANDREW BALDOCK

Sale are likely to host Leicester on May 13, with Alex Sanderson’s team chasing a second Premiership title 17 years after they were crowned English champions. 

Gloucester made them fight every inch of the way, but Sale even overcame yellow cards for England internationals Tom Curry and Manu Tuilagi.

George Ford’s 64th-minute penalty repelled Gloucester’s resistance before Sam James’ breakaway effort during the closing stages saw victory confirmed.