Leicester Tigers 44-34 Sale Sharks: Premiership Rugby result as the hosts come from behind to boost their play-off hopes

Ollie Hassell-Collins scored two tries as Leicester Tigers came from behind to defeat fellow Premiership Rugby play-off hopefuls Sale Sharks 44-34.

Emeka Ilione also went over twice for Michael Cheika's side, who overturned a 26-16 half-time deficit to tighten their grip on second place with two games remaining.

Both sides were quick out of the blocks and went over inside the opening seven minutes; Adam Radwan cancelling out Luke Cowan-Dickie's earlier effort.

However, the visitors - on a four-match winning run - took control of the half. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White regained their advantage, while George Ford's impressive burst paved the way for Arron Reed to cross.

While Handre Pollard kept Leicester in touch from the tee, Robert du Preez's try on the stroke of half-time gave the Sharks a 10-point advantage.

The Tigers were improved after the break. Hassell-Collins burst through the defence twice in the space of nine minutes to turn the contest around.

Ilione then powered over to stretch the lead to 37-29, though Rob du Preez responded immediately to reduce the gap to three points.

Nevertheless, Leicester finished with a flourish as Ilione went over again to seal the victory.

Ollie Chessum reflected on receiving his call-up to the British and Irish Lions on Thursday morning.

When asked how it felt, he told TNT Sports: "Horrible, but then after, the best feeling in the world. It's been that grey cloud that's been looming over since the Six Nations.

"You try to tell people you're not that worried, but that's not the case. It was nerve-wracking yesterday morning, but it was real special. Everyone rallied around me last night, but then my head was firmly on the job today."

On tonight's victory, he added: "This, to us, was knockout rugby. You try not to look at the table and predict too far into the future, but this was a big one for us.

"[Michael Cheika] has given us some dressing-downs this season and I half-expected one [at half-time] because we were off it, but everyone was really composed."

On the fans, he added: "This lot has been unbelievable the last couple of weeks. We let them down earlier in the year. We're really trying to make this a fortress going into the back end of the season. I think we put a bit of pressure on ourselves.

"We always want to be ruthless, and it doesn't always come off. We enjoy the tough moments and when it goes wrong, we make sure we back it up. It just shows the character of the team."

You can watch every minute of the remainder to the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Ollie Hassell-Collins - today's Player of the Match - paid tribute to Leicester's "special" supporters after the Tigers tightened their grip on second place.

"It was just about sticking in there, sticking to our guns, and sticking to what we know. We went in at half-time behind," he told TNT Sports.

"I enjoy it so much; getting the ball, doing my thing, getting involved.

On the home support, he added: "They're so special, especially towards the end. I love playing here, the fans are so good.

"We've got two big games coming up to solidify where we are."

Gameweek 16 began with a mouth-watering battle between second and third place in the Premiership, as the battle for the play-off intensifies.

Both sides brought their A-games and a seesaw first half ensued, before Sale pulled 10 points clear at the break - securing their bonus point in the process.

However, Hassell-Collins took centre stage after the break with two quickfire tries, while the right boot of Handre Pollard kept the scoreboard ticking over on the South African's 50th appearance for Leicester.

As the defences tired, the power of Ilione provided a welcome outlet for the hosts, and he crossed twice later on to secure maximum points and tighten his side's hold on second place.

Both sides are on their travels next weekend. Leicester are travelling to leaders Bath, while Sale head to Bristol in need of a win to stay in play-off contention.

Leicester Tigers 44-34 Sale Sharks

The hosts finish with a flourish!

Leicester put the contest to bed with the last action of the game, as Ilione goes over again.

Pollard converts to round off a highly entertaining contest.

And just three minutes remaining.

This really could go either way...!

What a response by the visitors!

They immediately reply with Rob du Preez bursting away from a couple of challenges down the left wing, and diving for the line.

Ford misses the conversion from a tight angle, but the Sharks are back within touch.

Breathing space for the hosts!

Finding touch after they are awarded a penalty, Leicester push from the lineout and Ilione powers over.

Pollard adds two more points to move the Tigers two scores clear.

Leicester lead by a point, but can they hold onto their advantage?

Both sides freshen up their packs with a quarter of an hour remaining.

You feel fine margins will determine the winner of this contest.

The visitors are awarded a penalty and Ford makes no mistake to keep them within touching distance.

The hosts lead and it's that man again!

As Leicester push from a lineout, an attempted offload breaks loose.

Hassell-Collins collects just inside the 22, and bursts past a couple of challenges to go under the posts.

Pollard converts.

We are set for an exciting climax at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Who will prevail in this one?

That was Hassell-Collins' 11th try of the season, edging him ahead of Bristol's Gabriel Ibitoye to the top of the list outright.

The hosts are back in it!

Pollard's cross-kick is collected by Hassell-Collins, who embarks on a fine individual burst to the line.

Pollard converts to reduce the deficit to three points.

With his try before half-time, Rob du Preez took his points tally for the season to 103.

He is the fifth player to reach triple figures in the Premiership this term.

Sale make a bright start to the second half and go close to increasing their lead.

However, Roebuck cannot quite get the ball under control in the corner.

We're off and running again at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.