Staunton runs the show for Leicester

IRISH fly-half Jeremy Staunton was Leicester’s inspiration as they compounded a miserable week for Sale with a stunning 54-21 Aviva Premiership victory at Welford Road yesterday.

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.