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Leaders Leicester recorded a sixth successive Gallagher Premiership victory of the season after beating Sale Sharks 19-11 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Tigers fly-half George Ford, overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones for the Autumn Nations Series next month, was Leicester’s match-winner. The 77 times-capped international kicked four penalties and converted Hanro Liebenberg’s 50th-minute try as Leicester preserved a comfortable advantage at the Premiership summit.
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Kieran Wilkinson kicked two penalties for Sale and hooker Curtis Langdon scored a late try, but it was another outstanding Tigers victory as they continued an impressive resurgence under head coach Steve Borthwick.
The win tees them up nicely for next Saturday’s eagerly awaited east midlands derby against Northampton, yet Sale could only reflect on key moments in the contest when their discipline waned and Ford punished them.
Borthwick made three changes to the side that crushed Worcester last weekend, with lock Calum Green, scrum-half Ben Youngs and centre Dan Kelly all handed starts. Sale, meanwhile, welcomed back lock Lood de Jager for his first Sharks appearance since March, with scrum-half Gus Warr also featuring and wing Marland Yarde taking over from Denny Solomona.
The Sharks made a promising start, shading early territory, although Wilkinson missed an early penalty. And the game’s intensity was underlined through a flare-up around the dead-ball line that involved England colleagues Ellis Genge and Tom Curry, before referee Karl Dickson quickly restored order.
The respective Sale and England bosses were catching up over dinner when the Australian brought up an old story about Nigel Wray, the Saracens bankroller#England #Sharks #Sarries #GallagherPrem #LEIvSAL
https://t.co/ImqZgJ4JpV— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 22, 2021
Sale looked to get their former Leicester star Manu Tuilagi into the action, but he spilt possession after being worked into space just inside Sharks’ 22. And that summed up an opening quarter high on endeavour, yet one that lacked a composed finishing touch as the teams continued slugging it out. It took 31 minutes for the opening points to arrive and they came via the ever-reliable Ford, whose 40-metre penalty edged Leicester ahead.
Wilkinson put Sale level three minutes before the break when he kicked a penalty from in front of Leicester’s posts, yet Ford ensured that Tigers shaded a tense opening half by booting another long-range penalty that made it 6-3 at the interval. With defences dominating, attacking opportunities were at a premium until the game burst into life 10 minutes after the break.
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And it was England scrum-half Youngs who proved the catalyst, attacking space brilliantly and drawing in Sale defenders before delivering a scoring pass to Liebenberg. The South African still had a lot to do, yet he displayed superb pace and power before touching down out wide, and Ford converted for a ten-point advantage. Wilkinson and Ford then exchanged penalties in quick succession, with Leicester taking a healthy lead into the final quarter.
The Tigers had an upper hand on the back of Ford’s pinpoint kicking, and Sale could not establish anywhere near a sufficient attacking foothold to threaten their opponents. It was an impressive illustration of how to close out a game, and Sale could have few complaints after becoming Tigers’ latest victims during a season that is already showing strong signs of Leicester being a major force this term. And the afternoon’s work was inevitably completed by an unflappable Ford, who finished with 14 points from a fourth successful penalty that left Sale to head for home without even a losing bonus point.
This RFU update will hugely please Eddie Jones and co… #Englandhttps://t.co/7f6ffggXhR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
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