Sale Sharks squeeze past Northampton Saints in Premiership thriller as hosts rise into play-off places

Sale Sharks climbed into the Premiership play-off places following a narrow 27-24 bonus-point victory over Northampton Saints.

The hosts were pegged back from 12-0 up to 17-17 by the reigning champions at Salford Community Stadium, but regained their advantage to go fourth with five games remaining.

Sale were quick out of the blocks and scored first through Tom O'Flaherty in the corner.

Northampton were reduced to 13 men when Tom James and Tommy Freeman were shown yellow cards in the space of four minutes, and the hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage with Tom Roebuck going over.

Henry Pollock's impressive surge led to Emmanuel Iyogun getting Northampton on the board and, despite Roebuck's second try, Freeman's powerful burst for the line reduced the arrears to 17-12 at half-time.

Pollock took centre stage once more just after the restart, pushing through a couple of challenges before chasing his own punt to touch down and level the contest.

However, Bevan Rodd marked his 100th Sharks appearance by forcing himself over the line to regain their advantage, while George Ford's penalty put them two scores clear at 27-17.

Fraser Dingwall's surge for the line in the 76th minute set up a grandstand finish, but the hosts held on for a crucial win.

Alex Sanderson was relieved to see Sale get over the line.

"It was the longest last three minutes of my life!" he said. "That's why they're the champions; they don't tire, and they don't give up.

"They get a little bit of momentum, and you feel like you're chasing shadows. We saw that the last 10 minutes of the first half. The boys came in [at half-time] a little bit dejected, even though we were five points up.

"I was really impressed that they handled the pressure against a very, very good, quality team."

On potentially embarking on another strong run to end the season, he added: "We've definitely got the motivation. It wasn't the best start to the season.

"It's a different challenge this year. You can't just rely on what was good for us last year to do the same job this year. It's a different challenge entirely."

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

Tom O'Flaherty - tonight's Player of the Match - gives his reaction to Sale's victory.

"It was a must-win for us to [build on] that win from last week, and just gather crucial points in this run-in, and try and pinch a spot in the top four," he said.

"We knew that, historically, Northampton start pretty quickly [in the first 20 minutes], so we needed to get a good start ourselves. They came back, they definitely didn't die, and took it right down to the wire."

The Sharks climb into the playoff places with five games remaining, following that narrow victory.

It is one that may well end the hopes of the Saints, who are now 11 points adrift after their eighth straight away defeat.

Sale made a bright start, while taking advantage of their opponents going down to 13 men by establishing a 12-0 lead.

To their credit, Northampton limited the damage with their numerical disadvantage and responded well. Just after half-time, they were level thanks to Pollock's moment of brilliance.

Nevertheless, Rodd marked his 100th appearance with a try that regained the hosts' lead, which they would not let slip on this occasion.

Despite a late surge by the visitors, they held out for victory.

Sale Sharks 27-24 Northampton Saints

Carpenter does brilliantly to get over the grounded Ramm, preventing him from releasing.

The referee awards a penalty and the cheers ring around the stadium.

Northampton have a penalty and Mitchell finds touch near Sale's 22.

One last push from the Saints...

There's hope for the visitors yet!

After they are held up several times, Dingwall takes matters into his own hands.

The skipper neatly ducks away from a tackle and surges for the line.

Mitchell converts and the deficit is just three points with four minutes remaining.

Reed, just on as a replacement for Addison, picks up the loose ball and looks to burst away on the counter.

However, Freeman does brilliantly to make up the ground, and stop him in his tracks with a superb last-ditch tackle.

Mitchell is on kicking duty tonight in the absence of Fin Smith.

However, the fact this is unusual territory for the scrum-half is evident.

His attempt to find touch near the corner sees the ball go the wrong side of the flag, allowing Sale the opportunity to clear their lines.

The hosts go in search of another try that would put them two scores clear.

Northampton do well to hold them up, but are eventually penalised for offside.

Sale opt to kick and Ford makes no mistake from just to the right of the posts.

Will Sale hold onto their advantage, or can Northampton drag themselves level once more?

As Freeman is forced into touch, a melee breaks out between players from both teams.

However, the situation soon sorts itself out, and the referee feels no need to take any further action.

Rodd makes what could be a winning contribution on his 100th appearance for Sale.

Last weekend against Newcastle, he made 11 tackles without missing one, and has continued that positive momentum this evening.

Trust the centurion to have a say on matters!

Sale drive towards the line, and Rodd's outstretched arm gets the ball down.

Ford converts and the hosts are back on track for the time being.

Who would have thought this when Northampton were trailing 12-0 and down to 13 men?!

We are set for an exciting second half here.

That is magnificent from Pollock!

The number eight chases his own punt down the right side, and brilliantly collects before touching down.

Mitchell cannot convert, but it's a level game at Salford Stadium!

We're back up and running!

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