Leicester, who will face ASM Clermont Auvergne in the last 16, led Sale 18-5 at half-time at the AJ Bell Stadium, but the Premiership leaders were then blown away.

Sale, drawn against English rivals Bristol Bears in the last 16 after drubbing Ospreys 49-10 in R4, inflicted a second successive league defeat on Leicester, who topped Heineken Champions Cup Pool B with four victories.

Tries from Julian Montoya and Guy Porter, plus eight points from Freddie Burns’ boot put Leicester in control at the break, with Sale’s solitary reply being Luke James’ score.

Another Burns penalty made it 21-5, but tries from Ben Curry, Arron Reed and Dan du Preez, plus two AJ MacGinty conversions, edged Sale ahead 24-21.

Montoya crossed again to restore Leicester’s lead, but Tom Roebuck’s try and two MacGinty penalties secured a memorable win for Sale.

Meanwhile, Stade Français Paris backed up their last-gasp Heineken Champions Cup qualification from Pool B by holding on for a 26-24 home victory over RC Toulon in the TOP 14.

Trailing 17-10 at half-time, Nicolas Sanchez inspired the Parisian side’s second-half rally with two penalties and the conversion of Antoine Burban’s try.

Sale Sharks carried over their outstanding Heineken Champions Cup Round 4 form into domestic action on Sunday when they staged a stunning fightback to overcome fellow last-16 qualifiers Leicester Tigers 35-26 in an action-packed Gallagher Premiership clash.