Leicester hold on in nerve-jangling win

PREMIERSHIP: Leicester secured their fourth Aviva Premiership victory in a row by seeing off Sale at Welford Road 28-23. The Sharks fell 17-0 behind after 20 minutes, but showed spirit to fight back and had Leicester nerves jangling before a late Toby Flood penalty secured a home win. Leicester will reflect on their failure to collect a bonus point after controlling much of the match.

Saracens were held 15-15 by Gloucester in a match that was never settled until the last goal was kicked by Gloucester’s Freddie Burns.

Worcester’s 6-0 victory at Adams Park meant Wasps started the new year with a fifth successive defeat in the Premiership. Fly-half Joe Carlisle scored the only points – a penalty in each half.

Bath claimed their first Aviva Premiership win for two months after crushing title play-off contenders London Irish 30-3 at Recreation Ground.