Sale edge Quins in pulsating 13-try thriller

The Prem

Harlequins (21) 33

Tries: Cunningham-South, Petti, Benson, Hyde, Riley Cons: Smith (4)

Sale (24) 52

Tries: Dugdale 2, Longstaff, Ford, O'Flaherty, Harper 2, Roebuck Cons: Ford 6

A resurgent Sale Sharks secured their first league victory of 2026, defeating an enthusiastic Harlequins 33-52 in a pulsating contest at Twickenham Stoop.

In a frantic first half, Sale built a lead with scores from Sam Dugdale and Alfie Longstaff, before Quins stormed back to lead with Chandler Cunningham-South, Guido Petti and Jamie Benson all breaking the whitewash.

The lead changed hands again either side of half-time with George Ford and Tom O'Flaherty tries putting Sale on top, before Hayden Hyde and Sam Riley replied following swift attacking moves.

But Sale were the ultimate victors, with four late unanswered scores from Dugdale, Tom Roebuck and two for James Harper wrapping up a deserved win for Alex Sanderson's men.

Looking for a markedly improved performance following last week's record loss to Saracens, Sale wasted no time getting on the board through Dugdale.

The back-row forward was the beneficiary of a lovely interchange between Jacques Vermeulen and Rekeiti Ma'asi-White as the Harlequins defence was caught narrow.

The home side were unable to live with the visitors' speed of play and conceded again soon afterwards.

First-time starter Longstaff was initially repelled but a couple of phases later powered his way over from close range after Quins were penalised in their own 22.

Departing attack coach and club legend Nick Evans would have been heartened by his team's response, with the television match official (TMO) adjudging Cunningham-South had forced his way over after an earlier two-on-one opportunity had gone begging.

He would have been even more impressed by Quins' next score.

Moving up the field, the Quins' attack was given an unlikely injection of pace from Petti who burst through a hole, handed off Gus Warr before sidestepping O'Flaherty to go over for one of the great forward tries of the season.

With both sides playing at pace, another try was imminent with Benson going over untouched after Marcus Smith had released Cameron Anderson down the wing.

George Ford then narrowed the gap to 21-19, picking the ball off his laces to dot down after O'Flaherty's offload.

As half-time approached, Sale benefitted from some lacklustre Quins tackling to go over for their bonus-point score.

Roebuck had no difficultly in evading three defenders to surge upfield before passing to O'Flaherty who outpaced Jack Kenningham to the line.

But Quins snatched the lead back through Hyde just after the break, the winger scoring his first league try after Bryn Bradley's midfield break.

The home side were in the ascendancy and scored a fifth through Riley, after Benson had been freed in midfield following good work from Anderson.

But as so often this season, Quins were unable to see the victory through and fell victim to an unlikely Sale resurgence.

First Harper and then Dudgale scored from close range, before Harper secured his second after strong carrying from Tumy Onasanya.

The home faithful were heading for the exits as Roebuck dotted down at the death to leave Harlequins in eighth place in the table, only ahead of Gloucester on points difference. Sale remain in seventh.

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore said:

"We spoke about discipline beforehand but our discipline was not good. When we got to their line we scored some good points but couldn't keep our foot on the throat.

"It is a concentration problem. We have four games left and we have to make sure we nail a Champions Cup spot."

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said:

"It's been the most brutal season but I don't know a coach who has not been through this. I'm still quite emotional because of the rollercoaster it has been. It toughens and steels you.

"It was a test of character as last week was the perfect storm. We all will learn from it and put us in a better position next year.

"Every team which has enjoyed success over the last few years has been in the same situation as us.

"I just want to win all the remaining games. For all the lads who are leaving we want to finish the season with fond memories and a Champions Cup place for next season."

[On Rob du Preez's injury]: "He's in a great deal of pain and can't see it healing in time before the end of the season."

Harlequins: Benson; Anderson, Northmore, Bradley, Hyde; Smith, Friday; Hobson, Turner, Jones; Cunningham-South, Launchbury, Petti, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt)

Replacements: Riley, Clarke, Streeter, Treadwell, Carr, Evans, Grant, Kerr

Sale: O'Flaherty; Roebuck, du Preez, Ma'asi-White, Reed; Ford, Warr; McEachran, Longstaff, Opoku-Fordjour; van Rhyn (capt), Bamber, Vermuelen, Woodman, Dugdale

Replacements: Caine, Onasanya, Harper, Andrews, Kelly, Hanson, Louw, Davies

Referee: George Selwood