Sale Sharks edged past Harlequins 12-11 in a gritty affair at the Salford Community Stadium, securing a narrow victory to kick off their Premiership campaign.
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Jack Walker touched down for Quins, while Leigh Halfpenny, on his Premiership debut, added a penalty. However, three George Ford kicks saw Sale lead 9-8 at half-time.
Quins were denied a second try by the TMO, and with conditions wet and tricky, both sides struggled with handling errors and discipline.
Halfpenny put Quins ahead with a long-range penalty, but Ford’s fourth successful kick with six minutes remaining clinched the win for Sale.
A missed kick from Halfpenny earlier in the game proved decisive as Sale held on by just a single point.
The current 36-man 2025 Lions squad, according to the bookies
The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV.
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Mack Hansen (Ireland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- George Ford (England) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 8/11