Sale are a Manu down but clinch play-off spot

SALE survived the loss of Manu Tuilagi to clinch a Gallagher Premiership playoff spot thanks to a 20-10 upset win at Saracens.

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SARACENS 10

SALE 20

Tuilagi, who was celebrating his 33rd birthday, has almost certainly played his last game in a Sharks shirt after he was forced off with a hamstring injury after 17 minutes.

Initial indications from the club were that the centre's campaign was over and he would miss the semi-final against Bath on June 1 and a possible Twickenham final before his move to Bayonne in France.

Saracens' defeat condemned them to a last-four knock-out game on the road against Northampton on May 31 after they had been favourites for a home tie.

And it also meant this was the last home game for Owen Farrell, plus Billy and Mako Vunipola before their summer moves.