Watch - Tuilagi sees red as Sale sunk by Northampton's fightback

Manu Tuilagi was sent off on his return to club action as Sale were left stunned by a Northampton fightback, who claimed a 38-34 home win.

Tuilagi, who was not selected by England for their opening two Guinness Six Nations matches, was red carded for a forearm to the face of England team-mate Tommy Freeman in the 14th minute of the match.

But Sale still looked like they would get the job done in this Gallagher Premiership contest as they powered into a 24-7 lead by the break.

The Saints had been struggling against the Sale mauling game and the Sharks continued to add points to their tally, taking their lead to 34-19 with 17 minutes to go.

However, Alex Sanderson’s side had been hit by second-half sin-binnings for Cobus Wiese and Ewan Ashman, which eventually took their toll.

A penalty try for Saints was followed by a Callum Braley score, and when Fraser Dingwall dived over with three minutes to go, the hosts were all the way back.

The Sharks pushed for one final score, but they could not get it as Northampton celebrated a memorable success.

Second-placed Sale had struck first as Rob du Preez fired the ball crossfield for Arron Reed to dot down.

But the Sharks were soon hit with a hammer blow as Tuilagi was red carded for a blatant forearm to the head of Freeman.

? Manu Tuilagi's red card. #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/V1Ct4XDDF1

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 18, 2023

Northampton were soon dealt a big blow of their own as they lost George Furbank to injury.

And Sale struck again as Tom Curry, on his return from injury, found his way through.

Du Preez converted and Northampton were not making the most of their extra man.

It was to get even worse soon after as Sale penned the Saints in and won possession back, sending du Preez through for his side’s third try in the opening 22 minutes.

The home fans were restless but Tom James soon lifted them as he finished off a fine run from Freeman.

Fin Smith converted and the gap was 12 points but Sale hooker Ashman forced his way over from another powerful line-out drive.

Du Preez added a penalty to the tally early in the second half after the Sharks showed their teeth at scrum time.

Sale were reduced to 13 men when Wiese was yellow carded for a high hit on Smith and Northampton scored quickly as Freeman went over.

Smith converted and the Saints had some momentum, which they capitalised on when Matt Proctor scored out wide.

Wiese returned with the gap at eight points with 21 minutes to play.

But Sale soon made the most of Wiese’s return, putting together another big maul, from which Sam Dugdale scored.

Du Preez converted but Northampton bagged their bonus-point try when referee Ian Tempest awarded them a penalty try, giving Ashman a yellow card for pulling down the maul.

The Saints then cut the gap further when Tom Collins broke the line and gave the ball to Braley, who scored.

And Northampton led when Collins set up another score, firing the ball to the right for Dingwall to dive over.

There was still two minutes to go as Sale sought to overturn the four-point deficit, but the Saints stood tall and saw the game out.