Northampton Saints thrash Sale Sharks to stay top of Aviva Premiership

Northampton Saints have cruised to a 43-10 win over Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership this afternoon to consolidate their spot at the top of the table.

© Getty Images

Ken Pisi scored the opening try of the match 14 minutes in before setting up brother George Pisi for a score, while Samu Manoa also found the try line in the first half.

Manoa continued to get the better of the Sale defence after the break, scoring two more tries in the space of two minutes to complete his hat-trick within 55 minutes.

Mark Jennings pulled one back for the visitors inside the final 20 minutes, but Kahn Fotuali'i quickly restored the gap to end any hopes of a Sharks comeback.

The result leaves Northampton a point clear of Saracens at the top of the table, while Sale sit 10th.