Sale tame Tigers

Sale made it four straight wins in the Gallagher Premiership as they recorded a 26-16 success at Leicester in a clash between two of last season’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finalists.

Tigers led at the interval thanks to Jasper Wiese’s try and 11 points from the boot of Freddie Burns, but Sale remained within touching distance thanks to scores from Tom Roebuck and Robert du Preez.

On the resumption, Sale seized the initiative, with the returning Raffi Quirke setting up Tom Curry for a score before crossing the whitewash himself to wrap up an excellent win.

Alemanno double in Gloucester win

Saturday’s other Premiership game saw Gloucester Rugby squeeze home 21-17 at Bath Rugby in a West Country derby, a try brace from Matias Alemanno helping the Heineken Champions Cup side on their way.

Gloucester, whose driving maul proved particularly effective, built a 14-point advantage in the first half as Santiago Socino added to Alemanno’s double.

Their EPCR Challenge Cup opponents rallied in the second period, but Gloucester held on for victory at The Recreation Ground, their second win in three games so far this season.

Ringrose double for Leinster

In the United Rugby Championship, Leinster Rugby, last season’s Heineken Champions Cup runners-up, came out on top in a thrilling contest with Cell C Sharks 54-34 at the RDS Arena.

Garry Ringrose crossed twice for Leinster, with Jason Jenkins, Andrew Porter, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Russell, Johnny Sexton and John McKee also dotting down as the Irish province were made to work for their victory.

Cell C Sharks, who were reminded of the task they face as they join EPCR’s elite competition for the first time this season, trailed by a solitary point at the break thanks to scores from Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok and Thaakir Abrahams.

Abrahams went over again in the second half with a stunning individual effort and although Fassi also notched a second, the South African outfit were ultimately overpowered in Dublin.

Mngomezulu stars for DHL Stormers

Centre Sacha Mngomezulu enjoyed a prosperous afternoon for DHL Stormers as the Cape Town-based side secured a third straight bonus-point win in the URC with a 37-20 triumph at Zebre Parma.

Mngomezulu kicked three penalties and converted all four of his team’s tries, including his own effort late on, to take his match tally to 22 points. Junior Pokomela, Neethling Fouché and Herschel Jantjies were the visitors’ other try-scorers.

Toulouse thrash Clermont

In the TOP 14, Stade Toulousain served a reminder of the threat they will pose in the Heineken Champions Cup as they ran in six tries in a 46-10 home rout of ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Thomas Ramos (2), Antoine Dupont, Alexandre Roumat, Ange Capuozzo and Melvyn Jaminet went over for the dominant hosts, with Clermont’s only try response coming from Adrien Pelissie.

We’ve taken a look at the best of Saturday’s domestic action involving Heineken Champions Cup clubs, with Sale Sharks’ stunning victory at Leicester Tigers the highlight.