Sale edge Quins in pulsating 13-try thriller

After losing the lead early in the second half, Sale scored four additional tries to secure the win [Getty Images] The Prem Harlequins (21) 33 Tries: Cunningham-South, Petti, Benson, Hyde, Riley Cons: Smith (4) Sale (24) 52 Tries: Dugdale 2, Longstaff, Ford, O'Flaherty, Harper 2, Roebuck Cons: Ford 6 A resurgent Sale Sharks secured their first league victory of 2026, defeating an enthusiastic Harlequins 33-52 in a pulsating contest at Twickenham Stoop. In a frantic first half, Sale built a lead with scores from Sam Dugdale and Alfie Longstaff, before Quins stormed back to lead with Chandler Cunningham-South, Guido Petti and Jamie Benson all breaking the whitewash. The lead changed hands again either side of half-time with George Ford and Tom O'Flaherty tries putting Sale on top, before Hayden Hyde and Sam Riley replied following swift attacking moves.

But Sale were the ultimate victors, with four late unanswered scores from Dugdale, Tom Roebuck and two for James Harper wrapping up a deserved win for Alex Sanderson's men. Saracens beat Leicester to keep play-off hopes alive Bristol go fourth with big win at Newcastle Ikitau returns and Bath make major changes in Prem Looking for a markedly improved performance following last week's record loss to Saracens , Sale wasted no time getting on the board through Dugdale. The back-row forward was the beneficiary of a lovely interchange between Jacques Vermeulen and Rekeiti Ma'asi-White as the Harlequins defence was caught narrow.

The home side were unable to live with the visitors' speed of play and conceded again soon afterwards. First-time starter Longstaff was initially repelled but a couple of phases later powered his way over from close range after Quins were penalised in their own 22. Departing attack coach and club legend Nick Evans would have been heartened by his team's response, with the television match official (TMO) adjudging Cunningham-South had forced his way over after an earlier two-on-one opportunity had gone begging.

He would have been even more impressed by Quins' next score. Moving up the field, the Quins' attack was given an unlikely injection of pace from Petti who burst through a hole, handed off Gus Warr before sidestepping O'Flaherty to go over for one of the great forward tries of the season. Guido Petti's outstanding first-half effort helped to give Harlequins a foothold in the game [Getty Images] With both sides playing at pace, another try was imminent with Benson going over untouched after Marcus Smith had released Cameron Anderson down the wing.