A RECORD high attendance of over 10,000 couldn't inspire Sale to a last home win of the season.

Six tries by the visitors gave them a 42-22 victory, though Sale's place in the European Rugby Champions Cup is still safe.

Sale will have felt aggrieved that they conceded the first score of the game, after dominating the opening exchanges.

The Tigers were over the line in their first attack, when Verenicki Goneva touched down a kick in behind by Owen Williams.

Sharks responded with points of their own, with Danny Cipriani kicking a penalty in front of England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

Leicester thought they were in for their second try soon after. Anthony Allen touched down in the corner, but captain Ed Slater passed forward in the build up, something which the home crowd were quick to remind referee JP Doyle of as they watched the replay on the big screen.

The outstanding moment of the half, for Sale, came half an hour into the game, and should have resulted in their first try. Cipriani, who was in his own 22, sent a long pass out to Johnny Leota, who charged half the length of the field.

His inside pass to Tom Brady had the crowd on their feet, but the winger just didn't have the legs to go all the way, and knocked on when tackled.

After the break the away side picked up where they had left off. Niall Morris scored their third try underneath the sticks, meaning Sale would have to produce the most famous of comebacks to salvage something.

Flood had Leicester's bonus point secured just before the hour mark.

Dwayne Peel left the pitch to a rousing reception, in his last game in front of Sale fans before he heads off to Bristol in the summer.

Sharks did run in a consolation score with 15 minutes left, as Michael Paterson played winger, crashing over under pressure after a superb Sammy Tuitupou pass.

They added another try soon after, which will have pleased the home fans who remained in good voice throughout. Henry Thomas, who was also playing his last home game in a Sale, finished off a good team move.

Johnny Leota then scored one of the tries of the season, slaloming through a number of challenges for a world class try.