Exeter remain top of the Premiership as the Chiefs provided a hammer-blow to Sale Sharks’ top-four ambitions following a 20-14 triumph at the AJ Bell Stadium.

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Rob Baxter’s side took advantage of mistakes by the Sharks to run in two first-half tries through Ollie Devoto and Don Armand. With Gareth Steenson adding a penalty and conversion, Exeter held a 15-0 advantage at the interval and, although Sam James and Will Cliff crossed the whitewash for Sale, Sean Lonsdale’s try helped the visitors hold on for their 12th Premiership win of the campaign.

Leicester fly-half Joe Ford scored all the Tigers’ points as the hosts hung on to edge a narrow 19-14 derby win over Coventry neighbours Wasps. Ford kicked four penalties, as well as converting his own Tigers try when the Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor was in the sin-bin.

There was some controversy over the try with Ford appearing to knock on when tackled by Jack Willis. All Wasps’ points came in the first half from two Marcus Watson tries, both converted by Rob Miller. It was a first Premiership win for Geordan Murphy’s team since 5 January. Wasps thought they had scored a third try when prop Will Stuart went close, only for the TMO to spot a knock-on.