Tigers beat Sharks in Premiership Play-off

Two tries from Adam Radwan and a defensive effort for the ages helped Leicester Tigers to a five-point, 21-16, victory over Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership Play-off at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The win sets up a meeting at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with Bath Rugby.

In slippery conditions, both sides opted for early points when on offer, with Handré Pollard making it 3-0 after just seven minutes with a long-range penalty goal before George Ford levelled it up in the 18th with his own three-point contribution.

Despite the rain continuing to fall, there was no lack of intent to attack from either team and, on the 20-minute mark, Tigers - Adam Radwan - had their first try.

After a dominant scrum deep in the Sharks half, Solomone Kata got the side on the front foot from the first phase before Jack van Poortvliet switched play back to the blind with a long, looping pass to Radwan and the fleet-footed speedster did the rest, dancing his way through the cover defence to dive over.

Pollard's conversion attempt went wide, meaning the lead remained at five points.

His first try just the home supporters on their feet, but his second even received plaudits from the visitors sections.

In scenes often reserved for the outfield at Edgbaston, Radwan managed to time his run on the end of a Pollard cross-field kick to perfection and, in one motion, take the ball and then do it down for Leicester's second.

Pollard again went wide with the conversion attempt to mean the difference remained ten points, 13-3, after almost half an hour, where it stayed until the half time break.

The fly-halves were on the scoresheet early in the second half with three points apiece; Ford in the 46th minute and Pollard in the 52nd minute to make it 16-6 with just under half an hour remaining.

Sale then cut the deficit to three points with their first try of the match in the 57th minute, to Rob du Preez, which Ford converted to make it 16-13.

Pollard was sent for a HIA after a late, high tackle on the Leicester fly-half meant Ben Volavola was brought on to pull the strings for the home team and just minutes later, the Sharks then levelled it up, 16-16, with just 15 minutes remaining when Ford landed a third penalty goal.

Izaia Perese, not long on the field, then sent Mattioli Woods Welford Road wild when he was put through a hole by Volavola and showed his turn of pace to get around the last line of Sale's defence to score and make it 21-16.

Pollard passed his HIA and returned to the field in the dying stages, which saw the Sharks throw everything at the Tigers defence. But, the home team, with the help of the home crowd, refused to cave and held on to claim the win and secure a spot in the Gallagher Premiership Final.