Staunton runs the show for Leicester
With Toby Flood among four English internationals missing from the Tigers’ line-up, former Munster and Wasps man Staunton took his chance with aplomb, kicking seven conversions from eight and orchestrating some stunning tries.
The Tigers racked up 21 points in the opening 13 minutes and finished with eight tries, with two each for Manu Tuilagi and Scott Hamilton.
It was a nightmare start for Sale’s new coaching team led by former captain Pete Anglesea, who replaced Mike Brewer after the latter’s sacking just before Christmas.
Veteran Irish international and Tigers skipper Geordan Murphy was also in fine fettle at full-back, and also helped create scores for Anthony Allen, Alesana Tuliagi, Rob Hawkins and Matt Smith.
Sale found themselves staring at a record defeat at 42-7 down with 30 minutes remaining — number eight Asaeli Boko’s surge off a set-piece producing their only try of the first half.
But they salvaged some pride through a Kristian Ormsby score, while Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel notched a stunning individual effort.
Meanwhile, George Lowe’s try sealed the points as Harlequins inflicted a eighth consecutive defeat in all competitions on struggling London Irish with a 26-18 win.
In front of 74,212 spectators at Twickenham, Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans finished with 23 points from seven penalties and a conversion while opposite number Chris Malone scored all of London Irish’s points.
The Exiles remain fourth in the Aviva Premiership but they have not won since October 31 and their situation is starting to resemble a crisis for boss Toby Booth.
It was not as if London Irish did not have their chances but they failed to capitalise on Danny Care being sent to the sin-bin.
In the end, they left with nothing while Harlequins were celebrating their first victory in three attempts since moving their festive fixture to Twickenham.
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