Johnson gets a scoring return

Martin Johnson emphasised his loyalty to the club cause last night, leading Leicester towards the final lap of their Premiership treble instead of taking the customary post-Twickenham rest.

The England captain hardly had time to break sweat before Sale presented him with the opening try of a match spiteful enough for two play-ers, one from each side, to be banished to the sin-bin. The result saw the champions jump 15 points clear in their march to a third successive title.

Leicester, aiming for a 10th straight Premiership win since Sale held them to a draw last September, suffered a double injury blow in the first 10 minutes. Freddie Tuilagi was carried off on a stretcher as the victim of his own shuddering tackle on opposition centre Dan Harris. Tigers scrum half Jamie Hamilton had already departed, which made John-son's gift all the more welcome.

Sale, hoping to make the play-offs despite the crippling handicap of lacking a line- out worthy of the description, could only watch in despair as Johnson seized Bernard Jackman's wayward throw without being obliged to run more than a yard or two for the try which doubled his Premiership tally for the season.

The Tigers, labouring in the absence of several internationals, would have been in a sorry state without it. Having failed to exploit the advantage caused by Jos Baxendell's binning for illegal footwork, they then lost wing Steven Booth to another yellow card in between conceding three Nicky Little penalties.

The Fijian stand off brought Sale to within two points at one stage before a fourth Tim Stimpson penalty and a late Adam Balding try eased Leicester home.