Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks

Yarde knocks on inside the 22 and Saints will have one final opportunity to score before time is up.

Another conversion missed from Du Preez, but Saints are running out to time to claw back the deficit here.

Brilliant burst from deep from Tuala to rescue a dangerous situation for Sale, but as Saints look to play from deep, the ball goes into touch.

Saints scrum on the 22 is pushed back and Sale win back the ball thanks to their pressure on Furbank.

Strong carry from Isiekwe takes Saints into the 22 and Northampton looking threatening here. Play is stopped with Saints in attack as Ludlam goes down looking uncomfortable.

Two quick penalties for Saints and Furbank is able to clear, with the fullback into the fly-half position in place of Biggar.

Another huge intervention from Isiekwe sees him stop a certain try, tackling Hammersley into touch!

As soon as he goes off, Naiyaravoro comes back on as Olowofela has to go off for an HIA. Meanwhile Sale are up into the 22.

Biggar is injured and has to come off. Francis, Olowofela and Harrison enter the action.

Sale also empty their bench of front rowers and the first scrum with the new personnel goes to ground, and then the second one sees a penalty given to Saints! Back into the corner.

Turnover from De Klerk as Ludlam is isolated. Missed opportunity for Northampton. Meanwhile Ehren Painter and James Fish are on for Franks and Matavesi.

Saints have advantage and look to pick and go right in front of the posts! They are stopped short however and we go back into the corner. Signs of life for the hosts.

Mitchell is lively again and carries well into space, and Saints are awarded a penalty on the left wing with Sale offside. Biggar into the corner.

De Klerk overcooks a box kick and it goes out on the full, with Saints regaining possession on halfway. They'll have a lineout with the next score crucial.

Sharks look to build the lead from the tee as Ludlam is penalised for not releasing, but Du Preez's kick is missed.

Saints put the pressure on defensively and the ball goes loose despite Sale building the phases! Let off for the hosts but they will have to build from deep.

Penalty for Sale after Furbank does well under the high ball, with Tuala guilty of obstruction. Du Preez goes to the corner.

Biggar gets us underway for the second 40.

Mitchell tries a box over the top but it just runs long so Sale will get the scrum just outside their 22.

Adendorff is in touch so it will be a lineout for Sale. Unlucky.

Curry knocks Naiyaravoro into touch but Du Preez starts a scuffle and Saints are awarded a penalty, and look to set up a driving maul. Adendorff looks to have grounded and we have a TMO...

Exceptional work at the breakdown from Curry wins possession back for Sharks after Ribbans' carry. The lock is penalised for holding on and Sale clear their lines.

Ratuniyarawa is back to bring Saints back to 15 men, and Sale knock-on the restart to give Saints great field position.

Conversion attempt from Du Preez hits the post.

Biggar's beautiful chip over just won't sit up for Dingwall – so unlucky for Saints! But Mitchell puts the pressure on with another kick over the top, and Northampton get the ball back in touch to try and launch another attack.

Hill goes off his feet as Sale put pressure on the restart, and Biggar kicks the penalty to touch to give Saints possession on halfway.

High tackle from Langdon is right in front of Barnes and Saints kick the penalty inside the 22.

Two more penalties go Sale's way as Northampton try to stop the Sharks from scoring their second. Still in the corner.

Biggar does brilliantly to gather Du Preez's chip and chase under serious pressure. But despite a good clearance again from Mitchell, the scrum-half is penalised for blocking De Klerk on the next kick and Sale send the penalty into the corner.

Tuala goes in at the side and Du Preez hits a huge kick to the 5m line from halfway – but another steal at the lineout goes to Isieke and Mitchell clears well to halfway.

Tuilagi limps off and is the second high-profile injury of the night. Meanwhile a frantic passage of play sees Hammersley break down the left for Sale, before Naiyaravoro tidies up and makes a busting run of his own. High-quality stuff.

Long stoppage as referee Barnes looks at a fend from Adendorff. He decides it is legal, after a long consultation.

Interception from Naiyaravoro! Saves a certain try, but with Mitchell outside him and the rest of the field at his mercy he can't get the ball away. Sale infringe however and Biggar sends it into touch.

Immediate impact from Isiekwe to steal a lineout, but again Sale get it back immediately with an interception. Sharks win a couple of collisions and win a penalty which goes into the 22.

Great turnover from Iyogun inside Sale's half! But Ratuniyarawa's offload goes astray and Sharks recover possession, with James sending a kick over the top and Mitchell having to tidy up. Lawes is off with an early injury, with Nick Isiekwe coming on. That's a blow for Saints.

Conversion missed from Du Preez, but it's 5-0 to the visitors.

Expertly dealt with by Saints, with Lawes claiming the lineout and Biggar clearing to touch.

Good box kick from Mitchell gains some ground for Saints, but Sale claim the lineout and start to try to make some inroads in midfield. James' grubber-kick is outstanding and goes out on the 5m line.

Sale exit the away dressing room underneath the South Stand, and then here come your Saints, led out by Lewis Ludlam!! Kick-off moments away...

Rory Hutchinson is a late withdrawal for Saints today with an ankle injury. That sees a reshuffle in the backline for the hosts with Matt Proctor moving to outside centre, with Fraser Dingwall also moving inside to No.12, to make way for Taqele Naiyaravoro on the wing. Ryan Olowofela and Piers Francis come onto the bench.

Almost go time here at Franklin's Gardens for this evening's Gallagher Premiership clash between Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks!