Northampton Saints 21-17 Sale Sharks - Saints edge out Sharks in Gallagher Premiership Rugby thriller

A tense and cagey first 40 minutes made way for an energetic and blistering second half as Northampton Saints edged Sale 21-17 to go to top of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table.

Sale seemed destined to take control of the tie when they went 14-0 up thanks to Luke Cowan Dickie crashing over, but some quick-thinking from George Furbank and Alex Mitchell, as well as their impressively rigid defence, gave the hosts their sixth win on the bounce.

Northampton Saints propelled themselves to the top of the Gallagher Premiership table after a stirring second-half comeback at Franklin Gardens to take four points against Sale Sharks.

The first 40 minutes were an arm wrestle with both sides favouring a focus on defensive solidity and controlling territory. Naturally, the tight affair gave fans little to enjoy, but a second-half full of energy and tenacity heightened the energy on a cold and windy day in Northampton.

Captain George Furbank was the overwhelming catalyst in a stunning comeback, providing a try of his own and forcing referee Matthew Carley to give the hosts a penalty try after a quick-thinking tap-penalty.

Before that however, much of the match suggested that Sale would firmly take control. It was Josh Carpenter's try moments away from half-time that saw the visitors make their mark. The back cut through a rare hole in the host's defence to score the only points of a turgid first half.

Alex Sanderson clearly told them to carry that momentum through to the next stage of the match, taking them just over seven minutes to double their lead to 14. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, making his first start this month, forced his way over the line after a succession of penalties and phases in favour of the visitors. Sam James and Rob du Preez led the backline defensively, with the latter making a crucial try-saving tackle on Ollie Sleightholme who seemed destined for the corner.

Right as it seemed Sale had finally made their mark and were taking control, Saints captain George Furbank finally gave the home supporters something to cheer about. The fullback flew through Sale’s defence in the 53rd minute after his side managed to tie up Sale’s rigid blue wall in the centre of the pitch, making enough space out wide for the full back to dive into the corner unopposed.

The match was starting to become the riveting clash everyone hoped for. George Ford added three points to Sale's lead with a pinpoint drop goal, only for Alex Mitchell to snipe his way over from the base of the ruck in the 65th minute. Three points separated the two and the comeback was on.

As Northampton surged into the game, Sale receded. They missed an astounding total of 39 tackles over the 80 minutes. But one tackle they didn't miss was from Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who tackled Furbank in an offside position as the fullback was heading for the line, coughing up a penalty try and four-point lead for the hosts.

The dying moments were tense as Sale had the opportunity to snatch a win with a late lineout, only for Saints to steal the throw, and for Alex Mitchell to comfortably put boot to ball a few moments later to clinch the win for Northampton.

The captain made it nine wins out of nine as skipper, providing two pivotal moments in Northampton's comeback.

While his second-half feats will win the plaudits, the fullback was admirable in a cagey first half full of kicking. Taking the ball predictably well in the air and returning it to Sale's backfield to keep his side's territory strong.

It's no coincidence that his side improved as he did, once again proving that so much of the positive play of this Northampton side revolves around him.

Northampton Saints: George Furbank 9, Tommy Freeman 6, Burger Odendaal 7, Rory Hutchinson 7, Ollie Sleightholme 8, Fin Smith 7, Alex Mitchell 8

Alex Waller 7, Sam Matavesi 6, Trevor Davison 6, Chunya Munga 7, Alex Coles 7,Angus Scott-Young 7, Tom Pearson 8, Juarno Augustus 7

Sale Sharks: Joe Carpenter 7, Tom Roebuck 6, Sam James 7, Rob du Preez 7, Arron Reed 5, George Ford 6, Gus Warr 5

Ross Harrison 5, Luke Cowan-Dickie 7, Nick Schonert 5, Cobus Wiese 5, Jonny Hill 7, Ernst van Rhyn 6, Ben Curry 7, Jean-Luc du Preez 7  

38' TRY FOR SALE! Sale fullback Joe Carpenter slices through a hole in Saints' 22 to score this afternoon's first try.

48' TRY FOR SALE! Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie crashes after a few phases of the visitors hammering the hosts' try line.

53' TRY FOR NORTHAMPTON! George Furbank FINALLY gets his team on the scoreboard after diving into the corner unopposed.

58' FORD ADDS THREE George Ford hits a pinpoint drop goal, extending Sale's lead by three.

66' TRY FOR NORTHAMPTON Alex Mitchell gets his fifth try in eight games for Northampton, sniping over the line after Sleightholme's break.

70' PENALTY TRY! SAINTS LEAD FOR FIRST TIME Furbank takes a quick penalty inside Sale's 22, heading right for the try line when Asher Opoki-Fordjour makes an offside tackle on the Saints captain.