Exeter go top after late comeback win at Sale

The Prem

Sale (19) 26

Tries: James, Wills Cons: Ford, R du Preez Pens: Ford 4

Exeter (6) 27

Tries: Yeandle, Woodburn, Sio Cons: Slade 3 Pens: Slade 2

Exeter Chiefs went top of The Prem as they staged a stirring second-half fightback to steal victory off Sale Sharks.

When George Ford converted Sale's second try from Alex Wills after 46 minutes, the home side led 26-6.

But two quick tries from Jack Yeandle and Olly Woodburn brought them within a converted score before Australia prop Scott Sio was adjudged to have got over the line and Henry Slade kicked the conversion.

It delivered a first away league win for Exeter since April 2024 as they climbed above Northampton Saints on points difference.

The home side had grabbed the only try of a physical first half through Luke James as they led 19-6, with Tom Curry and Exeter's Tom Hooper both shown yellow cards.

But after their first home league defeat since March, Sale have now lost three successive Prem games and remain in seventh.

More to follow.

Sale: James; O'Flaherty, R du Preez, Ma'asi-White, Wills; Ford, Warr; McIntyre, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, van Rhyn, Bamber, Vermuelen, T Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Jibulu, Onasanya, Harper, Burrow, Andrews, Quirke, Louw, Grace.

Sin-bin: T Curry (5)

Exeter: Hodge; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Ikitau, Woodburn; Skinner, Chapman; Goodrick-Clarke, Dweba, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins, Zambonin, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau.

Replacements: Yeandle, Sio, Tchumbadze, Pearson, James, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, Hammersley.

Sin-bin: Hooper (11)

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe