Tigers rip through Sharks

Leicester ran in eight tries to inflict a crushing 54-21 defeat on Sale in their Aviva Premiership clash at Welford Road on Monday.

The Tigers appeared unaffected by the absence of several England internationals as they proceeded to run in 21 points in the opening 13 minutes against the stunned Sharks.

Leicester, missing England half-backs Toby Flood and Ben Youngs and influential forwards Tom Croft and Jordan Crane, took just four minutes to score their first try.

Full-back Geordan Murphy took the Tigers into the opposition 22 with a swift counter-attacking move after Sale lost possession in their own half.

The hosts kept up the pressure and Jeremy Staunton's offload sent Anthony Allen over for a try which Staunton converted.

The Sharks were further behind within two minutes when Alesana Tuilagi barged his way over after some slick passing from the Tigers. Staunton added the extras to make it 14-0.

Magnificent

Leicester's third came on the 13 minute mark after Staunton's quick tap penalty in front of the posts paid off when Rob Hawkins force his way over in the corner.

Staunton again converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline.

The Sharks were reeling by now but they composed themselves and slowly began to claw their way back into the game.

After penetrating the home 22 Asaeli Boko drove powerfully over from a five-metre scrum and Nick Macleod converted.

But Tigers' fourth came three minutes before half-time as Manu Tuilagi ran unopposed to the line from 20-metres out. Staunton converted to give the hosts a 28-7 lead at half-time.

The Tigers again blasted out of the blocks at the start of the second half, Murphy sending Hamilton over within two minutes and Staunton converting again.

Six minutes later Tuilagi brushed aside some poor tackling to sprint in from 30 metres to extend the lead further.

Nightmare

Staunton made it six from six with the conversion to take the scores to 47-7 with over 30 minutes to go.

Sale however battled back to score an excellent try when Mark Cueto broke upfield before offloading to Dwayne Peel.

Peel beat three defenders on his way to the line for the try and Macleod converted to make it 42-14.

The Tigers wasted no time in hitting back though, Hamilton bagging his second before playing a big part in Leicester's eighth score by Matt Smith.

Kristian Ormsby picked up a late try for the Sharks with the last play of the match and Macleod added the conversion.

The result marked a nightmare start for Sale's new coaching team led by former captain Pete Anglesea, who replaced Mike Brewer - sacked just before Christmas.