Leicester Tigers moved back to the top of the English rugby premiership after producing a gritty display to defeat struggling Leeds Carnegie 14-9 on Sunday.

Craig Newby scored the game's only try just before half-time to help Leicester edge home and leapfrog over Saracens and Northampton at the top.

Although Leicester had most of the possession on a testing Headingley pitch, they could only add nine more points after Newby's try.

All those other points came from Jeremy Staunton's boot, with just three in a second half they completely dominated. Ceiron Thomas kicked all the home side's points.

Elsewhere, Melbourne Rebels' target Danny Cipriani's impressive kicking display inspired a 22-16 win over Sale Sharks that edged Wasps closer to the top four.

England fly-half Cipriani nailed six kicks from six attempts - five of them penalties and the other a conversion after Ben Jacobs's 14th-minute try.

Sale, who went into the break 10-6 down, drew to within three points at 16-13 in the 52nd minute thanks to a try by substitute prop Gavin Kerr before fading in the second half.

Charlie Hodgson kicked the rest of their points with a conversion, two penalties and a drop-goal in the 78th minute that secured them a bonus point.

London Irish were beaten 35-22 at home by Bath.

Veteran prop forward David Barnes, discarded England left wing Matt Banahan and right wing Joe Maddock did the damage with first-half tries to leave Irish without a win from their last six matches in all competitions.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP